As we brace ourselves for the first real snowfall of the season, we checked in with Constable Kalin Wiebe with the Weyburn Police Service to talk about some of the things people need to keep in mind when it comes to winter driving conditions.
"Foremost is, the driving conditions are going to change," Cst. Wiebe said. " They're going to deteriorate if the snow starts falling, we get any freezing rain, anything like that. So what we want to remind people to do is obviously slow down. That's key in poor road conditions. The maximum speed that you see on our signs is under ideal conditions. Snow, and wet is not ideal conditions. So obviously we want you to slow down. Your stopping distances are going to increase. The time to accelerate may increase as well because of those slippery conditions. Some things that you can do to prepare your vehicle. Obviously, we want visibility on the vehicle so make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition and they're properly wiping the windows. Check your tires. Make sure that they're properly inflated and that they're good enough tread lift. If you do have the financial means we do highly recommend that you do purchase winter tires for your vehicles because they will assist with stopping distances and assist with accelerating. We want you to make sure that you have snowbrushes and ice scrapers for your vehicle. By law, your windshields and your side windows and your rear windows need to be cleared off of any snow ice debris. Obviously, that's going to help you seen properly down the roadway."
And while you technically don't have to, should you clear the snow from the roof of a vehicle?
"You should because obviously snow ice build up on there can create almost like blizzard-like conditions for vehicles behind you or even if they're approaching you and the snow comes off the vehicle it can cause visibility issues."