After more than 200 crashes hit the GTA during the season’s first snowfall, one expert and police are sharing key tips to help Torontonians stay safe on the roads.
Winter made a remarkable entrance this year, with the first snowfall of the season coming earlier than expected, and marking the first time in 50 years that over 5 cm of snow accumulated in GTA streets by early November.
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The unexpectedly slippery conditions have made navigating difficult for many drivers in the city, with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) registering hundreds of collisions during the first snowfall of the season.
Sgt. Kerry Schmidt told Now Toronto that since Sunday, when snowy conditions first hit the GTA, OPP responded to “about 220” collisions in the region. No fatalities were reported as a result of the collisions, with most accidents leading to minor damages, and one resulting in critical injuries.
“It comes down to driver behaviour, right? So, driving too fast, not adjusting their driving, not being aware of the surroundings, and just not being prepared,” he said on Monday.
“Although it was snowing on Sunday, I think a lot of people thought it’d be done by Monday, and then they woke up this morning to find that there was still a lot of snow and a lot of issues that they had to deal with.”
The concerning number of crashes seems to be part of a trend. A study conducted by insurance provider Allstate Insurance revealed that icy and snowy conditions seem to bring collision risks, with most crashes happening in the months of January, followed by December and February.
According to Allstate Insurance’s Agency Manager George Ljubicic, the risk of crashing is especially higher during the first snowfalls of the season, as drivers re-adjust to the winter.
“First snowfalls tend to happen in December, January, not this early on… [That] is when accidents happened the most, as drivers adjust to the new conditions, and if they don’t have winter tires mounted, of course, it can also be a problem if they wait too long to do that,” he told Now Toronto on Monday.
Ljubicic explained that the leading cause of accidents involves rear-end collisions, especially due to poor weather conditions, sudden stops and slowdowns, busy traffic, and more.
“I experienced this from clients coming in and skipping on black ice, they can’t see the ice, and hitting railroad, hitting the signs and the blocks on the side of the roads,” he said.
HOW TO AVOID ACCIDENTS DURING WINTER
Ljubicic says that one of the most important steps people can take to avoid accidents over slippery conditions is using winter tires. These tires are built with different rubber components and tread patterns that gives the driver better control and allows them to make quicker stops.
“There’s a heaviness to them. There’s different tractions to them. You can feel it when you drive it. It’s heavier to drive, so it just keeps you down more and that the traction is a lot better on them. So, that allows you to make those quicker stops on ice, on and snow.”
Schmidt also says that for those thinking about changing to winter tires, now would be the perfect time to do so.
“They’re not gonna make you invincible, so you still need to drive appropriately for the conditions, but it will give you a little bit of traction,” he said.
Both Schmidt and Ljubicic warn that although very effective, winter tires are not absolute at preventing accidents, and should be combined with other safety precautions.
One useful tool includes what Allstate calls the “three-second rule.” This strategy includes giving yourself time to break earlier than you would normally do during summer months, making sure that you maintain a larger distance from the vehicle in front of you.
Ljubicic adds that besides distance, drivers should also make sure that they maintain enough visibility, allowing them to not only see their surroundings and other vehicles, but also be seen by other drivers.
“You’ve got to understand that other drivers out there might not see you in poor conditions, so if you can, or if it’s very bad weather, turn on your blinkers,” he said.
The expert also recommends that drivers avoid bypassing snowplows, considering that their extended blades can cause accidents, or even impact your vehicle, by throwing ice, snow or salt at cars windshields. His advice is for drivers to allow snowplows to finish their work before moving ahead.
Both Ljubicic and Schmidt also say drivers should make sure their cars are completely clear of snow before taking off. Schmidt also recommends that drivers carry washer fluid to help with keeping windshields clean.
“First of all, make sure your vehicle is clear of ice and snow so you can see outside every one of your windows that use your mirrors when you’re driving, [and] making sure that you have sufficient washer fluid in your vehicle [and] that your windshield wipers are working properly.”
Ljubicic also says drivers should also make sure to scrape off the snow from the entirety of their cars, including the roof, warning that not doing so could put yours and other drivers’ safety at risk.
“When I was much younger, I didn’t take off the snow from top of the car. And what I didn’t expect to happen was, when I stopped the whole snow fell on top of my windshield, so it all slipped forward [and] it’s also hitting backwards, probably hitting cars too. But sometimes, when you stop too hard, it’ll go forward and block your whole windshield,” he said.
“It can take us to a very, very dangerous situation very quickly and unexpectedly.”
Meanwhile, if conditions are too extreme, Ljubicic says drivers should re-evaluate their travel plans, and consider not driving if possible.
Overall, Schmidt says safety comes down to focus and good driving behaviour.
“When it comes to driver behaviour, just give yourself that time. Keep your hands on the wheel, keep your eyes on the road, keep your mind focused on the task of driving, and be prepared to stop in a moment’s notice.”
