Winter is fast approaching, bringing considerable challenges for even the most seasoned driver. Poor visibility and slippery roads can make it very difficult to control your vehicle if you don't take proper precautions. And your chances of being in an accident, or being stranded, increase if you and your car aren't ready for winter conditions. There are ways that you can better protect your car, and yourself, from the hazards of winter driving. Here are some timely tips to help you get where you're going this winter, safely and on-time.

Ensure your car is ready for winter.
As bad as winter conditions can be for driving, they're even worse if your car isn't in top working order, so have your vehicle fully inspected before winter arrives. Be sure to have proper winter, or all-season, tires with good treads installed, check your fluid levels, and replace or repair any faulty lights, brakes, wipers, defrosters, and hoses as needed.

When changing your tires, make sure your front and back tires match if you own a front-wheel drive vehicle. The back end of your car can skid if the back wheels do not have the same treads as your front wheels.

There are many other steps you can take to prepare your car for winter driving conditions:

• Keep a scraper, snow brush and an extra container of windshield washer on hand to keep your view clear of snow, ice, and salt stains.
• Always keep your tank half full, just in case you find yourself stuck or stranded by weather or road conditions.
• A shovel, and a good supply of salt, sand or even kitty litter, will help if your car is stuck in snow or ice.
• A lock de-icer is a must for those extra-cold days when you can't get the car door unlocked.
• Jumper cables come in handy if you have trouble starting your car.
• Reflectors and a flashlight are essential in case you make an emergency stop.
• A first-aid kit is a wise investment in case of an accident or injury.

Check weather and road conditions
Always check the forecast and the road report for your area, your travel route, and your destination before heading out on the road and ask yourself if you are comfortable driving under those conditions. This way, you can be sure you, and not the conditions, will be in control of
your car. Even if it is a clear day, and road reports are favourable, remember that the weather and road conditions can change in an instant. After all, it only takes a little wind to create a whiteout from snowdrifts, so always be prepared for changes in conditions when on the road.

Road reports are just a phone call away, starting in early December, at 1-800-307-SNOW (in Halifax/Dartmouth, call 424-3933).

Don't drive during a storm
If at all possible, you should not drive during a storm. It is much safer to wait for conditions to improve before making the trip. If you do have to travel, drive slowly, use your windshield wipers and defroster, and stick to your low beams to improve your visibility. Roads tend to be most slippery during the first ten minutes of a storm, so drive slowly and cautiously.

You should reduce your speed by half on snow-packed roads, and slow to a crawl on ice-covered roads to prevent skidding. Remember that major highways are cleared first and salted more frequently, so try to stick to well-traveled roads for increased safety.

Clear your car of snow and ice
When heading out after a snowstorm, be sure to clear your car of any snow or ice to improve your visibility. Snow on your roof could come down on your windshield if you make a sudden stop. It can also create blizzard-like conditions for motorists behind you, reducing their visibility and increasing the chances of an accident. Snow on your signal lights can also make it hard for other motorists to anticipate your actions.

Slow down
The change of season demands a change in our driving habits - the speed you normally drive may not be appropriate for winter conditions. Generally, it's a good idea to adjust your speed when driving on wet and slush-covered roads and avoid any sudden stops. If you are driving very slow, and traffic is building up behind you, pull over and let motorists pass. And always give yourself extra time to get where you're going, even if conditions look good. The weather, and road conditions, can always change.

Watch out for other drivers
While driving, try to keep a close eye on the behaviour of other motorists on the road and the condition of their cars. They may not have taken the same precautions you have. Be careful not to follow too closely behind other cars. It can take up to twelve times longer to stop on an ice, or snow-covered roads. Putting a safe distance between you and the driver ahead of you can prevent accidents should they make a sudden stop.

Use low beams in snow, rain
Rain and snow reduce visibility and make it hard for you to see clearly. The light from your high beams will reflect off of the precipitation, making it more difficult to see what is ahead of you.

Sunlight glare
The glare of sunlight on snow, or in your eyes as it sets, can make daylight driving just as dangerous as night driving during winter. Wearing sunglasses and adjusting your visor can often reduce the glare.

Never pass a plow
When driving on a one-lane road, never pass a plow when it is clearing snow. Remember, whiteout conditions are often created in the front of plows, which reduces visibility and increases the chance of an accident. Be extremely careful following snow plows and use extra caution in order to safely pass a snow plow on a multi-lane road or highway.

Watch out for slippery roads.
Snow and ice can make roads very slippery, especially when the temperature is near or below freezing. Black ice is especially dangerous. This thin layer of ice forms when warm air condenses and turns an ice-cold road into an invisible sheet of ice. Black ice occurs most often in the clear morning air, when the temperature is rising or falling near freezing and is frequently found on bridges and overpasses. In fact, condensation on bridges, overpasses, and in shady areas generally freezes first and takes longer to thaw than the rest of the road, so even if the temperature is above freezing, you should be extra careful when driving these stretches of highway.

Always try to get a feel for road conditions by trying your brakes when it is reasonably safe. Just tap the brake lightly and, if one of your tires locks, release your brakes immediately. If you have to stop on an icy or slippery road, keep your clutch engaged and apply light, but steady, pressure to your brakes to slow your car gradually. This will prevent your wheels from locking and sending you into a skid. And always give yourself more distance to make your stop than you would on dry pavement. While 6m is a safe stopping distance for a car traveling 30km/h on dry pavement, you should allow for 22m on packed snow and 52m on black ice.

Winter Survival Kit - an extra precaution
It's not pleasant being stranded on the side of the road in nasty weather conditions, but it could happen to any of us. It's a good idea to have a winter survival kit on hand, particularly if you are planning a trip, or you drive a lot in winter. A good survival kit should include:

• a thick blanket
• candles
• book of matches
• a food pack of non-perishable items (nuts, dried fruit, juice boxes, chocolate)
• extra clothes
• a deep can, for melting snow or holding a candle
• a plastic garbage bag, which can provide a vapour barrier for your clothes
• newspaper, for additional warmth
• a flash flag for your aerial

What to do if you are stuck or stranded
If you do find yourself stuck or stranded, don't panic. Try to stay with your vehicle if you can to make it easier for a roadside assistance crew to find you. To keep warm, run your engine for 10-15 minute intervals, but be sure to open your windows slighlty and check your exhaust pipe for blockage to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, try to keep moving to prevent hypothermia.

We're here to help.
If you would like further information on how to stay safe on Nova Scotia's highways this winter, call us at Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations through our Access Nova Scotia Centres or Registry of Motor Vehicles offices, (902) 424-5851 or toll-free in Nova Scotia at 1-800-898-7668.

Check location information for the nearest
Access Nova Scotia Centre.