By Brady Bateman

Staying safe on winter roads

Jan 15, 2019 | 4:00 PM

The latest weather patterns with extreme cold temperatures and the addition of large amounts of snowfall, has caused layers of ice to form on Prince Albert roadways.

Rick Schwartz, a program co-ordinator with the Saskatchewan Safety Council, told paNOW drivers should always prepare in advance for winter driving conditions, especially icy roads.

“The number one thing is to slow down, especially around curves and turns,” Schwartz said. “Obviously following distance, so that you’re not running into the back of people and have time to stop. And your main defence is good winter tires, and not just two, you really need four winter tires that are all the same.”

Road crews within P.A. use a calcium chloride solution to clear roads and provide traction, but the solution is ineffective when temperatures fall below -13 Celsius, meaning ice will continue to accumulate until temperatures reach more favourable levels.

Schwartz co-ordinates the Saskatchewan Safety Council’s SkidSmart Collision Avoidance course, in which drivers are taught how to properly navigate icy roads, and said the most important lesson to teach is planning ahead for winter conditions.

SIGA

SIGA and Northern Lights Casino main sponsors of the 31st PAGC Fine Arts Festival

2h ago

Workplace incident

City of Prince Albert pleads guilty to workplace safety violation, handed fines

4h ago

Lighting it up

P.A.'s Zablocki leads Regina to victory on Day 4 at Esso Cup

Apr 24, 2024

“You want to look ahead, and think ahead of what conditions are going to be like,” he said.

“Always signal your intentions. It’s very important to let people know what your plan or next maneuver is going to be so there are no sudden reactions where people have to slam on their brakes.”

Schwartz also recommended drivers have a kit prepared for winter roads, including salt or cat-litter to put under your tires, extra clothes and blankets, food and drinks, and hi-visibility gear.

Other recommendations include to avoid braking during a skid. Instead, drivers should look where they want to go, while gradually slowing, or moving into the ditch to avoid other vehicles.

Schwartz added he believes all drivers can benefit from courses such as SkidSmart, as it’s difficult to learn how to react during a skid or other dangerous conditions, without having experienced the situation before.

“We want you to know what your vehicle does in these situations, and what the best response is,” he said. “Every vehicle reacts and responds differently, so you really need to know your vehicle. Those are things we put to practice in our training by getting on the ice and figuring it out.”

According to Schwartz it’s also important to avoid having a false-sense of safety due to things like four-wheel drive vehicles or anti-lock brakes.

“Once you get into a skid in four-wheel drive, it’s very difficult to get the vehicle back and under control,” Schwartz said. “Four-wheel drive has better traction in the city for taking off and stopping, but once you’re in a skid its much easier to recover if you’re in two-wheel drive.”

SkidSmart was present in P.A. several years ago, but due to a lack of assistance and location has not been present recently. Schwartz noted SkidSmart would be open to returning to Prince Albert if an interest was shown by residents.

brady.bateman@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TheDigitalBirdy