Everything you need to know about winter driving preparations
In terms of winter driving, there are risks associated with winter conditions , even for an experienced driver and despite road maintenance operations.
Individually adopting appropriate behaviour according to the road environment increases your safety and that of other road users.
Visit this section to find out what you need to know about preparing for winter and winter driving.
Understanding road conditions: a tool to plan your trips better
Concerned with the safety of drivers and making their trips easier, the ministère des Transports du Québec has developed a new simplified terminology for describing winter road conditions.
The new, simplified terminology now describes roadway and visibility conditions separately. In addition, the colours used are different from those used to show traffic conditions. The purpose is to provide road users with even more detailed and accurate information, to help them make decisions before hitting the road.
Remember that the Ministère provides real-time road condition information on its Québec 511 Info Transports Web site, which is then retransmitted by the media, especially television networks, including Météo Média, which uses the same terminology.
Winter Road Safety Campaign
Year after year, approximately 40% of road accidents occur during the winter months. Despite road maintenance, various unpredictable weather conditions can take drivers by surprise. Road users must therefore be twice as careful and vigilant when driving in winter.
To support this message, the Ministère launches an awareness-raising campaign to remind road users about rules that could save them a lot of grief. For instance, drivers must adapt their speed to weather and road conditions and keep a safe distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.
In addition, road users must also adapt their driving behaviour to the presence of winter maintenance vehicles. When approaching one of these heavy vehicles, drivers must make sure they are visible and be patient.
Video - « Déroute l'hiver! » Contest
On January 28, 2012, the ministère des Transports followed the five winners of the Déroute l’hiver! contest to the Mécaglisse centre in Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci.
The Ministère organized this contest as part of the awareness-raising campaign on road safety in winter conditions. The contest was intended for drivers aged between 16 and 25 and was aimed at improving their winter driving skills. Five prizes to the value of $2,000 were offered, each including defensive winter driving training at Mécaglisse and a stay at Estérel Suites, Spa & Lac.
Five young drivers aged 16 to 25, and the persons accompanying them, received defensive winter driving training offered by the Ministère.
Congratulations to the five winners!
Marilou, from Laval, Nicolas, from Québec, Sarah-Jeanne, from Québec, Stéphane, from Notre-Dame-des-Monts, and Vincent, from Cowansville.
