Winter road trips offer breathtaking scenery, but conditions can sometimes be less than perfect. According to the National Collision Database, nearly 30 percent of collisions happen on wet, snowy, or icy roads in November, December, January, and February¹. Whether you're driving up to the cottage for a cozy weekend away or visiting family or friends in another city or province, be sure to keep these winter safety tips top of mind:

Get your winter tires installed
As the temperature drops, all-season and summer tires can stiffen and lose elasticity, leading to decreased traction and poor performance. The specialized type of rubber used in winter tires is designed to stay flexible even in extremely chilly weather, allowing you to maintain a better grip on slippery streets and roads. If you haven't installed your winter tires, do so before hitting the road.

Check your vehicle's fluids
If your oil change is almost due, plan to have it done before you head out. While you're at it, check your brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and power-steering fluid, too.

Top up your windshield washer fluid
Choose a windshield washer fluid with de-icing formula and keep an extra bottle in your trunk. Regular washer fluid can freeze in its tank or when sprayed onto your windshield on a cold day. Windshield washer fluids formulated explicitly for winter weather include higher concentrations of methyl alcohol, giving them a lower freezing point so they won't freeze in your tank or cause dangerous refreeze in cold conditions. They can also melt thin layers of ice in temperatures as low as -49 °C.

Replace your worn-out wiper blades
If you notice some areas of your windshield stay wet after being wiped when it's raining or snowing, it's probably time to replace your wiper blades. You'll want them working well, especially if you're driving in unfamiliar territory. Even if your wipers are in decent condition, consider swapping them with heavier, winter-specific ones that will wipe away ice and snow more efficiently.

Assemble your emergency kit
If you don't already have a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle, pack these ten essential items before leaving for a trip where you'll be on the road for an extended period.

Keep your gas tank at least half full
If you have to pull over and sit for a while to wait out a whiteout (or if you're driving in an unfamiliar area and can't find a gas station), the last thing you want to worry about is hitting empty and getting stranded in the cold.

Make sure your auto insurance is up to date
If it's been a while since you've reviewed your auto insurance policy, reach out to your broker to double-check you have the coverage you need for your trip – and keep your broker's phone number on hand in case you need to make a claim while you're away. If you're planning to rent a vehicle, ensure your auto insurance policy includes OPCF 27, which will cover you if there is damage to the vehicle you don't own. It is only valid for driving in Canada and the United States. If your auto insurance policy does not include OPCF 27, you may want to consider adding it.

If you're a current OTIP policyholder, contact us at 1-833-494-0090 to review your existing auto insurance policy. If you’re not insured with OTIP and are shopping for auto insurance, call us at 1-888-892-4935 to get a quote and receive a $20 gift card of your choice!
 

1. Royal Canadian Mounted Police – Just the Facts – Winter driving