A Winter Weather Travel Advisory is in effect for today:
- Barrie – Collingwood – Hillsdale
- Midland – Coldwater – Orr Lake
- Orillia – Lagoon City – Washago
Winter weather can be unpredictable but some extra preparation and caution can help you stay safe.
Here are some tips and information from the Ministry Of Transportation.
Before you leave
- Check the weather forecast. If it looks bad, delay your trip if you can.
- Visit Ontario511 to find out where plows are on provincial highways
- Use Ontario 511 to check road conditions:
- web: ontario.ca/511
- Twitter: @511Ontario
- dial 511 (hands-free, voice-activated phone service)
- It has launched a free Ontario 511 app for travellers, to make it easier to find information on public rest areas, location of the plow, construction, road closures and more.Download the free Ontario 511 Mobile App here:
- Clear ice and snow from your windows, lights, mirrors and roof
On the road
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Slow down and stay in control
Many winter collisions happen because drivers are going too fast for road conditions.
Don’t use cruise control on wet, snowy or icy pavement – it reduces your reaction time and vehicle control.
Steer gently on curves and in slippery conditions. Hard braking, quick acceleration and sudden gear changes can cause you to skid.
If you do skid, release your brakes and steer in the direction you want to go. Be careful not to steer too far though or the car could spin.
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Give space
It takes longer to stop on slippery roads – make sure there’s extra space between you and other vehicles.
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Focus and stay alert
Focus on the road. Put down the phone and don’t drive distracted.
Pay attention to the road surface. Asphalt in winter should look grey-white. If it looks black and shiny it could be covered in ice. Remember that shaded areas, bridges and overpasses freeze earlier than other sections of road.
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See and be seen
Use your vehicle’s full lighting system in poor visibility and whiteout conditions. If conditions become dangerous, pull over safely and wait for the weather to improve.
Driving near snowplows
Stay back from working snowplows and other winter maintenance vehicles (e.g. trucks spreading salt or spraying anti-icing liquid) with flashing blue lights. You’ll see them on highways before, during and after a snowfall or storm.
Never pass a working snowplow – it’s very dangerous for you and the plow driver. Sight lines and visibility can be significantly reduced by blowing snow and the ridge of snow that the plow creates. Trying to pass between or around a snowplow could result in a severe – even fatal – collision.
Be patient – it takes time to clear the roads after a snowfall. If you’re driving behind a snowplow, wait for it to finish its job. Roads are plowed in sections, so you usually won’t be stuck behind a plow for more than 20-30 minutes.
Winter is coming! Make sure your car is winter-ready:
Get a maintenance checkup
— Ontario Ministry of Transportation (@ONtransport) November 16, 2020
