In 2018, the number of motor vehicle fatalities in Canada increased by 3.6 percent since the previous year. According to the National Collision Database (NCDB) of Transport Canada, 1,922 people died because of traffic-related incidences. Meanwhile, the statistics of those who incurred serious injuries dropped 6.1 percent from 2017. Because of this, the city of Toronto implements a Vision Zero Road Safety Plan to lessen the vehicular fatalities in the city and the rest of the country.
Traffic safety is more important than finding ways to reduce vehicle expenses in the city. Since winter weather contributes a large number in the vehicular collision statistics in the country, here are several ways to drive safely in the city and avoid any unwanted accidents on the road.
Use Winter Tires
Toronto experienced a whopping 163.5 cm of snowfall in January 2019 alone. It is the second-highest level of snowfall experienced by the city during the last 25 years. Because of this, drivers in the city must use winter tires to keep them safe on the road. Unfortunately, some people believe that they do not need a set of winter tires when there is no snow.
Yet experts claimed that this type of tires can hug the road better compared to other tires in the market. Its rubber comes from a special compound that can attach to cold surfaces better. To install winter tires on your vehicle properly, you can research online by typing the words " mechanic service near me" to get a list of professional car services that can help you put a new set of winter tires with minimal hassle.
Clean Your Car
Since the city can get pelted with snow throughout the winter, it is not impossible to see a lot of cars in Toronto in terrible condition. Most of the time, the headlights, back windows, and license plates of these cars are covered with snow. Their owners might be too busy to at least scrape of the snow build-ups in these car parts. However, experts claim that neglecting to clean the car can pose a major problem.
They believe that if you will not clear off all the ice and snow in your vehicle, the risks of it slipping down on your windshield while driving can increase. This will stop you from seeing what lies ahead or on your back when you are on the road. Because of this, experts strongly advise that you need to clean your car regularly if you intend to drive it during the winter.
Check Your Battery
Aside from installing winter tires and cleaning your car, it is also important to monitor the car’s battery and tire pressure before taking your vehicle on the road. You also need to make sure that you always bring an extra windshield washer fluid and a complete car emergency kit with gloves and extra blankets. These items are very essential,especially if you find yourself stuck in the middle of an icy road during the unforgiving winter season in Toronto.
Keep in mind that it is easy to lose control of your vehicle in harsh weather, especially if you rely on cruise control. Once driving conditions seem to get worse, just avoid driving altogether.
