Driving Around Wood Buffalo in the Winter

Winter driving is far different than summer driving and now is the time to make sure you're ready for the snow. With snow and ice comes difficult driving conditions, which you need to be prepared for properly. Here are some winter driving tips to make it easier this season.

Make Sure Your Vehicle is Ready

It starts with the tires and moves to the brakes, heat, defrost and windshield wipers. You need to check all of these parts of your vehicle as soon as possible. Make sure the tires have plenty of tread left and the brakes are still in good shape. You will also want to make sure the heat and defrost work. If it's been a while since you replaced your windshield wipers, it's a good idea to take care of this, as well.

Create an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit can be the difference between getting out of a sticky situation or remaining stuck. Some of the items to include in your emergency kit are:

• Cat litter or sand
• Candles in a deep tin
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• Road Map
• Compass
• Road Salt
• Shovel
• Non-perishable food
• Extra clothing
• Water
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• Ice brush and scraper
• Blanket
• Paper Towels

These items will make a huge difference if you have to pull over and wait out a snow storm or you get stuck in the snow.

Driving Tips

As you drive throughout the season keep these things in mind:

• Slow down whenever conditions are bad
• Remain back from snowplows
• Avoid cruise control in bad conditions
• Signal early and often
• Allow extra stopping distance
• Don't break on curves
• If you skid, release the brake
• Accelerate slowly whenever going up a hill
• Shift to a lower gear for uphill driving and downhill driving
• Drive outside previous tracks on snowy roads for extra traction

Use these driving tips this winter and be careful out there!