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T4412
Play it safe on winter roads
D
riving can be risky in the best of
weather conditions, but winter
presents its own set of
challenges. Every year, hundreds
of Canadian workers are injured and their
vehicles are badly damaged because they
ignored those challenges or weren’t
properly prepared to cope with them.
Preparation should begin before
temperatures plunge below the freezing
mark. Start with a maintenance check-up to
ensure your battery, belts, hoses, radiator,
oil, lights, brakes, tires, exhaust system,
heater/ defroster, wipers and ignition system
are all in good shape.
Keep your fuel tank sufficiently full — at
least half a tank is recommended.
Make sure you have sufficient windshield
washer fluid that is rated a minimum of
-40°C temperature range and keep an extra
container in the vehicle.
When bad weather arrives, the safest
strategy is to avoid driving in it. If you must
drive, check weather and road conditions.
Give yourself extra time for travel and, if
possible, wait for conditions to improve.
Always tell someone where you are going,
the route you plan to take and when you
expect to arrive.
If you lack winter driving experience,
learn and practice the basic skills before
you need them. Those unfamiliar with
driving in snow and icy conditions should
practice after a storm in a large, empty
space where they can concentrate on how to
brake safely, how to get out of a skid, and
how their vehicle handles in winter weather.
Before heading out, plan your route to
avoid roads that may become dangerous
during bad weather. Remove all snow from
your vehicle’s hood, roof, windows and
lights. Clear all windows of frost and fog.
Snow and ice are slipperier at 0°C than at
-20°C or below. Watch for black ice at
temperatures between 4°C and -4°C, where
the road surface ahead looks black and
shiny. It is often found on shaded areas of
the road, bridges and overpasses long after
the sun has come out.
Drive according to conditions. Slow down
and keep at least four seconds’ distance
between you and the vehicle ahead to allow
plenty of room in situations where you may
have to brake suddenly on a slippery
surface.
Cruise control should not be used. Winter
driving requires a driver to be in full control
at all times.
During daylight, it is advisable to drive
with low-beam headlights on. They are
brighter than daytime running lights, and
turning them on also activates the tail lights,
which make a vehicle more visible.
Forceful braking or sudden, jerking
movement of the steering wheel can put
you into a skid. How your vehicle responds
can be related to whether it has rear wheel
drive, front wheel drive or four wheel drive.
Rear wheel drive pushes the vehicle and
may not have the benefit of weight unless
you have rear passengers or a load in the
trunk. Front wheel drive pulls the vehicle
and carries the weight of the engine and
transmission. Four wheel or
all wheel drive delivers
power to all wheels.
Here are some basic
skid-handling tips:
• Ease off the brake or
accelerator.
• Look and steer smoothly
in the direction you want
to go. Be careful not to
oversteer. If you are on ice
and skidding in a straight
line, depress the clutch
(manual transmission) or
shift to neutral (automatic).
• Wait for the wheels to grip the road.
• Return to a driving gear and accelerate
gently.
The ‘heel-and-toe’ method is the best way
to brake. This involves keeping your heel
on the floor and using your toes to press the
brake pedal firmly just short of locking up
the wheels. Release the pressure on the
pedal and press again in the same way.
Repeat this until you come to a full stop.
Heel-and-toe should also be used with
anti-lock brakes (ABS). This system uses
sensors to prevent wheels from locking and
allow steering control during hard braking.
When lock-up is detected, enough pressure
is relieved to keep the tires rolling while
you brake hard. The brake pedal pulses
rapidly and there may be some mechanical
noise. Do not lift your foot from the brake
or pump the pedal.
When visibility becomes poor, find a
place to safely pull off the road as soon as
you can. It’s best to stop at a rest area or
exit the roadway and take shelter in a building. If you can’t exit, pull off the road as far
as possible. Get out from the passenger side
to reduce the risk of being hit by other drivers. Put on your emergency flashers.
The material contained in this document has been prepared from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. Application of this
information to a specific worksite should be reviewed by a safety professional. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein
does so at their own risk and assumes any and all liability arising therefrom. Specific medical advice should be obtained through
consultation with a physician or other trained health care practitioner.
Winter
The Quiz
Driving
These questions are meant to help you remember what was discussed
today — not to test your patience or challenge your intelligence. The
answers are at the bottom of the page. Cover them up, and complete the
quiz as quickly as you can.
1. Preparation for winter driving should begin with a maintenance
checkup before freezing temperatures arrive.
TRUE ____ FALSE ____
2. Should windshield washer fluid be rated at a minimum -10 degrees C
for winter driving?
YES ____ NO ____
3. When bad winter weather conditions arrive, the best strategy is to:
A. Buy good tires.
B. Make sure your heater works.
C. Fly to Hawaii.
D. Avoid driving if possible.
E. All of the above.
4. Inexperienced drivers should practice safe braking and skid control
techniques before driving on snowy and icy roads.
TRUE ____ FALSE ____
5. What length should you keep between your vehicle and the one
ahead during winter road conditions:
A. 100 meters
B. 30 seconds
C. 10 meters
D. Four seconds
6. Rear wheel drive pulls a vehicle.
TRUE ____ FALSE ____
7. What should you do first if your vehicle goes into a skid.
A. Stop.
B. Accelerate.
C. Take your foot off the brake pedal.
D. Make sure your seatbelt is fastened.
E. None of the above.
8. Does your vehicle meet all the mechanical requirements for safe
winter driving?
YES ____ NO ____ DONʼT KNOW____
ANSWERS: 1. True, 2. No, 3. D., 4. True, 5. D., 6. False, 7. C., 8. Your answer
Talks Zone — Inbox Safety Talks is published by Skilven Publications Inc.
www.skilven.com. All rights reserved © 2012. This Safety Talk is licensed to ONE
supervisor and may be copied for use within his/her department only. No part of this
publication is to be distributed without first obtaining the correct software license or
written permission from the Publisher. Site licenses are available on request.
Hold These Thoughts
Tire pressure should be
checked often, especially before
any highway driving. High-quality
winter tires, properly inflated, will
provide the best traction on winter
roads and increase fuel efficiency.
A tire that has good pressure
when checked in a warm garage
will be under-inflated when it is
below zero outside – because tire
pressure goes down in the cold.
That is why you should do your
checks when the tires are cold.
Use the maximum pressure
amount shown in the vehicle
ownerʼs manual or on the
doorframe as a guide, but never
go above the pressure shown on
the tire sidewall. Check your
spare tire pressure regularly.
Since having four matching tires
improves vehicle handling, donʼt
mix tires with different tread
patterns, internal construction and
size.
Winter tires have
been designed for
use in snow. They
carry a pictograph
on the side-wall of a
peaked mountain with a
snowflake, meet high standards
for winter traction performance
and should not be confused with
Mud + Snow (M+S) rated snow
tires. Winter tires are a good idea,
and may even be legally required
where you live.
Use all-season radial tires only
in areas that receive just light
snowfall.
Even if you wonʼt be replacing
tires this year it is also wise to
check tire balance and wheel
alignment and correct them if
necessary.
For the Record
Safety
Date of Meeting: _________________________
Location: _______________________________
Start Time: ______ Finish Time: ______
In Attendance:
Meeting
Topic: ______________________________
Department:_________________________
Meeting Leader: _____________________
It really happened...
Last December a cube van broke down on an icy
bridge at night. More than an hour later, a transport
truck hit a pickup truck parked behind the van. The
pickup spun around and hit the vanʼs driver, causing
fatal injuries. A tow-truck driver under the cube van
removing the drive shaft was not injured, nor were the
two occupants of the transport truck.
In another incident two researchers in a rented
four-wheel-drive pickup were traveling on sections of
icy compact snow interspersed with areas of bare
pavement. Conditions were compounded by strong
gusty winds and the driver momentarily lost control of
the vehicle. The rear end struck a snowbank on the
road shoulder, causing the vehicle to come to a stop.
There was some damage to the vehicle, but neither
researcher was hurt.
This close call was a sharp reminder of the need to
be very aware of road and weather conditions and to
drive accordingly. Extreme caution and slower speeds
are required on compact snow.
The first incident illustrates the fact that winter roads
are dangerous even when you are not behind the
wheel. When a roadside emergency occurs, take the
necessary precautions to warn oncoming traffic
(reflective warning devices, high-visibility vests etc.).
Note: TalksZone safety meetings are not intended to take the place of your own safety procedures.
Always consult and/or review your procedures before attempting any work.