The biggest fear of Canadian drivers is not being able to stop on ice or snow, according to a recent survey by Michelin Canada.
Winter driving expert Carl Nadeau says the first thing you need to remember is to slow down.
“The grip level is going to be reduced, and the visibility is going to be reduced, so if you travel at the same rate of speed, of course, the danger level goes up quite a bit. Second, we should leave a gap with the cars in front of us.”
He says feeling relaxing behind the wheel while in slippery conditions is also important, “Unfortunately, when the stress level goes up by reduced visibility, drivers are getting tense and the more tense we are, the more abrupt our moves are going to be. It is going to send the car sliding.”
Nadeau adds ensuring your vehicle is properly equipped is also important, “Nothing is going to make the braking distance shorter than having good tires under the car. It is the only link you have with the car. So, you can buy an expensive car with all of the bells and whistles, but the rubber of the tires is the only thing touching the ground.”
The survey also found 14% of drivers said their greatest worry is losing control of their car, which is also the second-largest concern among Canadians overall.
Another 12% of drivers worry about others’ driving capabilities as their top concern.
