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Best Practices for New Drivers in Durham Region’s Winter Driving Conditions

Winter in Durham Region means beautiful snowy scenes, but it also means driving can be much more difficult. If you’re a new driver, you might feel worried about driving in snow and ice. This post will give you ten important tips to help you drive safely in winter, especially in Durham Region. We’ll cover how to get your car ready, how to drive on slippery roads, and what to do if you start to skid. We’ll also talk about how Growing Star Driving School can help you become a better winter driver.

Get Winter Tires: The Most Important Thing

The most important thing you can do for winter driving is to put on winter tires. These tires are made with special rubber that stays soft even when it’s very cold. This gives you much better grip on the road when it’s snowy or icy. They also have special patterns on them that help them grip the snow. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) says winter tires really do help you stop faster and control your car better in winter. Getting winter tires is the best way to keep yourself safe.

Check Your Car Carefully: Getting Ready for Winter

Besides winter tires, you also need to check a few other things on your car:

  • Fluids: Make sure you have enough of these:
    • Antifreeze: This stops your engine from freezing in the cold.
    • Winter Windshield Washer Fluid: This helps you clean your windshield even when it’s icy. Regular washer fluid can freeze.
    • Engine Oil: The right kind of oil helps your engine work well in cold weather.
  • Lights: Check all your lights: headlights (both low and high beams), taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. It’s important for other drivers to see you when it’s snowing or foggy.
  • Brakes: Have a mechanic check your brakes to make sure they’re working perfectly. Good brakes are very important when the roads are slippery.
  • Battery: Cold weather can make your car battery weaker. Have it checked to make sure it’s strong enough for winter.

Drive Slower and Leave More Space: Basic Winter Rules

When you drive in winter, you need to drive much slower than usual. The speed limits are for good weather, not for snow or ice. Driving slower gives you more time to react if something happens. You also need to leave much more space between your car and front of you. It takes much longer to stop on slippery roads. It’s a good idea to double or even triple the space you usually leave.

Be Gentle with the Car: Avoiding Sudden Moves

If you turn the steering wheel too quickly, brake too hard, or speed up too fast, your car can lose grip and start to skid. So, be gentle:

  • Steering: Don’t turn the wheel sharply. Turn it smoothly and slowly.
  • Braking: Don’t slam on the brakes. Press them gently and steadily. If your car has ABS brakes, press the brake pedal firmly. If it doesn’t, pump the brakes gently.
  • Speeding Up: Press the gas pedal slowly so your wheels don’t spin.

What to Do if You Skid: Important Skills

Knowing what to do if your car skids is very important for winter driving. If your car starts to skid:

  • Take Your Feet Off the Pedals: Take your foot off the gas and the brake right away.
  • Steer Where You Want to Go: If the back of your car is sliding to the right, turn the steering wheel to the right. If it’s sliding to the left, turn the wheel to the left.
  • Don’t Brake Hard: This can make the skid worse.

Watch for Black Ice: The Hidden Danger

Black ice is a very thin layer of ice that’s almost impossible to see. It often forms on bridges, overpasses, and in shady spots. Be very careful in these areas, even if the rest of the road looks clear. If you think there might be black ice, slow down and don’t make any sudden moves.

Clean Off Your Car Completely: So You Can See Clearly

Before you drive, make sure all the snow and ice is off your car. This means:

  • Windows: Make sure all your windows are completely clear so you can see out.
  • Mirrors: Clean your side mirrors and rearview mirror.
  • Lights: Clean off all the snow and ice from your headlights, taillights, and other lights.
  • Roof: If there’s snow on your roof, clean it off so it doesn’t slide down onto your windshield while you’re driving.

Use Low Beam Headlights: So Others Can See You

Even during the day, use your low beam headlights when it’s snowing or foggy. This helps other drivers see your car. Don’t use your high beams in snow because they can reflect off the snow and make it harder to see.

Keep a Winter Emergency Kit in Your Car: Just in Case

It’s a good idea to have a kit in your car in case you get stuck in the winter. This kit should have:

  • Jumper cables (to jump-start your battery)
  • A flashlight (with extra batteries)
  • A blanket or warm clothes
  • A first-aid kit
  • A small shovel
  • Sand, salt, or kitty litter (to help your tires get grip)
  • A cell phone charger
  • Some snacks and water

Consider Winter Driving Lessons: To Become More Confident

Taking winter driving lessons from a driving school like Growing Star Driving School can really help you learn how to drive safely in winter. They can teach you how to control your car if it skids, how to brake correctly on ice and snow, and other important winter driving skills. This is especially helpful if you’re a new driver.By following these ten tips, you can be much safer when driving in winter in Durham Region. Remember to be patient, drive carefully, and be prepared for anything.

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