TORONTO, March 6, 2009 – The brilliant sunshine of a winter’s day can actually make driving more dangerous. Rapidly melting snow and freezing temperatures create slippery roads, increasing braking time and the potential for losing control of your vehicle.
Simple precautions such as giving snowplows, salters and sand trucks plenty of room, and driving according to road conditions will help drivers arrive safely at their destination.
QUOTES
“Drivers have a responsibility to slow down, stay alert and be patient so they, their passengers and those whom they share the road with get home safely.”
– Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation
“The social and economic costs of motor vehicle collisions in Ontario are enormous. We are urging all Ontario drivers to avoid these unnecessary consequences by adjusting their driving to winter conditions.”
– Julian Fantino, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner
QUICK FACTS
- Ontarians are 30 per cent more likely to be involved in a collision during winter than in the summer.
- Each year, an average of 112 snowplows are involved in collisions with other motor vehicles.
LEARN MORE
Read more on safe driving precautions on the Ministry’s Winter Driving (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/winterdrive/winterdrive.shtml) web page.
Get up-to-date road condition information (http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/trip/) on major highways in your area. You can also call the ministry’s road information line at 416-235-4686, or toll-free at 1-800-268-4686.
