Winter Driving Tips for Edmonton Learners and New Drivers

These winter driving tips are for learners and new drivers facing their first Edmonton winter behind the wheel. Snow, ice and short days change how a car behaves. The advice below draws on Alberta's winter guidance, the Driver's Guide and the City of Edmonton.

Get the car ready before the snow

Alberta advises winterizing your vehicle before the cold arrives. Before the first snowfall, have someone check the battery, tires, brakes, belts, hoses, antifreeze, heater, defroster and wipers.

Keep your fuel tank more than half full. Alberta notes this helps reduce moisture in the fuel system, and it helps if you become stranded.

Carry an emergency kit. Alberta's list includes:

• A first aid kit, a flashlight with spare batteries and a cell phone.
• A blanket, plus extra clothing and footwear.
• An ice scraper, a snow brush and a shovel.
• Sand, road salt or non-clumping kitty litter for traction.
• Booster cables.
• Food that will not spoil, such as granola bars or nuts.

Before you pull away

• Clear everything. Remove all snow and ice from the windows, side mirrors, headlights, taillights and licence plates.
• Lights on. Keep your headlights on so drivers behind can see your taillights. Do not rely on daytime running lights.
• Check conditions. For highway trips, 511 Alberta gives road conditions by phone, online or in its app. In Alberta, call 511.
• Think twice in a storm. Alberta advises staying off the roads during major storms unless travel is absolutely necessary.

Driving on snow and ice

The most important of all winter driving tips is simple: slow down. The posted speed limit is set for ideal conditions. Alberta says drivers are legally required to drive according to road conditions.

• Leave more space. In normal conditions, stay at least two seconds behind the car ahead. On wet or slick surfaces, Alberta advises at least three times your normal following distance.
• No cruise control. On ice, cruise control keeps pressing the accelerator, and you could lose control.
• Be smooth. Avoid sudden steering or hard braking. Be gentle on the brake, and avoid braking in curves.
• Watch for black ice. It is often hard to see. If the road looks shiny and black instead of grey-white, slow down without braking.
• Expect slick spots. Bridge decks, overpasses and shaded areas can stay icy. Intersections also ice up quickly from exhaust and spinning wheels.
• Signal early. Give other drivers time to react, and shoulder check before every lane change.

On snowy roads, Alberta suggests driving outside the old tire tracks for extra traction.

If you start to skid

A skid feels frightening, but the response is simple. Keep your foot off the brake. Look and steer where you want the front of the car to go. Avoid large steering movements, and point your tires along the centre of your lane.

When the wheels grip again, Alberta advises braking firmly and smoothly. If you accelerate too hard and the wheels spin, ease off the gas and use gentle acceleration to move on.

Sharing the road with snowplows

Snowplows use flashing amber and red lights. The Driver's Guide puts it plainly: flashing amber and red means snowplow ahead.

• Stay back. Many plows show a minimum safe following distance on a sign at the rear. Staying back also protects your car from rock damage from the sanding unit.
• Know when passing is banned. You must not pass if the view along the plow's side is blocked. The same applies if passing would get in its way or cannot be done safely.
• Be patient. Operators pull over every 5 to 8 kilometres, where it is safe, to let traffic pass.

When a plow comes toward you, look carefully ahead. A driver passing it may be in your lane.

Edmonton streets in winter

The City of Edmonton calls parking bans when heavy snow falls over a short time. At least 8 hours' notice is given before a ban is enforced. There are two kinds:

• Major Roadways (Phase 1). Arterial and collector roads, business improvement areas and bus routes. White seasonal no parking signs mark these streets.
• Residential (Phase 2). Residential and industrial areas. Yellow No Parking signs go up at neighbourhood entrances at least 24 hours before clearing.

You can sign up for the City's Service Notifications, and the Roadways Snow Clearing Map shows where crews have finished. One point matters for new drivers. Residential roads are bladed to a level snowpack of about 5 centimetres, not cleared to bare pavement. Expect longer stopping distances on your own street.

Practise with an instructor beside you

Reading winter driving tips helps, but winter skills are built in the car. Omni lessons are one-on-one, in our car, and cover city driving, highway driving and residential streets. If you already hold a licence and feel unsure on snow, the Winter Brush-Up 2hrs gives you focused practice. Hourly lessons are another option, in all five areas. See our Edmonton page for local courses and pickup.