by Angela V Vancouver was just hit with a snowstorm that caused many issues a few days ago. Some commuters were stuck in their vehicles for over 8 hours on the highway during rush hour as they headed home in the afternoon.
How did this happen? Snow started falling during rush hour commute, and no salting or ploughing vehicles could push through during the rush hour traffic, so people were at a standstill for hours.
Our city is unfortunately not prepared to deal with snow, so we have to prepare ourselves to deal with it safely, either by staying home when our vehicle isn’t equipped with winter tires or if we don’t feel comfortable driving on snowy days.
Today we have more snow falling. Are you prepared?
Below I put together some tips to help you navigate the weather safely.
Tips To Help you Prepare for Winter Driving in Vancouver.
- Winter Tires: As we have been getting more snow in Vancouver in the last few years, you should switch your tires to winter tires or consider purchasing winter tires. October is a great time to switch tires and prepare for the snow. Winter tires provide better traction when temperatures drop.
- Don’t Rush: Leave the house with plenty of time to drive smoothly and slowly during the winter. Avoid making abrupt turns or stops when driving, as doing so can cause your vehicle to lose control and skid.
- Use Your Headlights: With snowy, darker days, keeping your headlights on during the day will help increase visibility to other motorists and people. Watch for pedestrians carefully!
- Don’t Use Cruise Control: It is essential never to use cruise control if conditions are snowy, icy, or wet. Cruise control is best used on clear roads.
- Check your First Aid and Emergency Kit in Your Vehicle: Ensure you have booster cables, a headlamp, a fleece blanket, hats, knit gloves and hand warmers in your vehicle before the winter starts. Same with non-perishable snacks and water. If you are stranded and have to wait for help, having the proper equipment to stay warm can save your life.
- Stay Home If Necessary: Is your vehicle not equipped with winter tires? Do you feel like you are not prepared to drive in the snow? Stay home if possible, and wait for the snow to be cleared and the streets to be salted.
Stay Safe Out There!
20 Comments on “Tips To Help You Stay Safe Driving On The Snow”
I’m a fan of stay home. Winter driving stresses me out. My car once got stuck on our side street at 3am on my way to work and that experience has done me in forever lol
Great advice it is sad to see so many accidents when the weather changes.
Great tips! We have some snow in the way and these tips will work well
Great tips, Quebec is the only province that makes it mandatory to have winter tires. Other provinces should follow.
Great advice for sure! Hello winter!
I don’t like winter driving These tips are helpful
thank you for the tips and great reminders!
It’s so hard when it isn’t a regular occurrence. I always slightly panic until mid-December and we’ve had a couple of snow falls – not because of my driving but because of everyone else’s!
No need to rush for sure, speeding can cause many problems on the read!
These are important tips for driving safe in the winter time Eight hours is a long time to be stuck on the road if your not prepared
We have used winter tires for years since we get a lot of snow and we feel they definitely help with traction
Winter tires help a lot I don’t like driving when it thaws then freezes The road becomes a skating rink
Safety first! Thanks for this!
Great tips, so important to stay safe out there!
Thanks for sharing. I use many of the tips already.
Good to know so be prepared for when the snow starts to fall!
Good read. I was curious, as I have driven in snow most of my life.
A snowy day here in parts of NL today, definitely not a great day on the roads! I prefer to stay home on days like this!
Dreading the winter driving already and it hasn’t really snowed much yet lol
Important tips to think of this time of the year. The first couple of snowfalls at the beginning of the winter season can be the most tricky until accustomed to the winter driving for the winter months.