With wintery conditions beginning to arrive in Saskatchewan, RCMP are cautioning motorists to proceed with caution on the roads.
Before heading out, they recommend checking the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline. Travellers can access information on road conditions and track what roads have been plowed, salted, and/or sanded within the last two hours at hotline.gov.sk.ca/map.
If you feel it’s safe to proceed, they advise with these tips to help with driving safety.
· Scrape all the ice off your windows before driving – if you can't see, you can't drive safely!
· Remove all snow from your vehicle, including from your headlights, taillights and roof.
· Slow down on slippery or snowy roads.
· Be gentle and smooth when you accelerate, brake or steer.
· Using cruise control on icy or snowy roads can be dangerous! If you skid, your vehicle will accelerate and rapidly spin its wheels as it tries to maintain a constant speed.
· Be prepared for anything: consider stocking your vehicle with extra warm clothes, candles, matches, non-perishable snacks, a snow shovel, traction mats, booster cables and a tow rope or chain.
· If you become stranded on the highway, do not leave your vehicle! Turn on your vehicle periodically to warm up, but try to conserve fuel. Make sure your tailpipe remains clear of ice and snow, or carbon monoxide could potentially seep into your vehicle.