Drivers need to adjust for winter conditions

On the morning of Oct. 1 we awoke to our first blast of winter following a storm warning that had been issued the night before. The forecast had predicted that we would be back up to 20 C by Wednesday and there would be no trace of snow, ice or frost by Thursday.

I, like many, exhaled a sigh of relief and intended to carry on in summer/early fall mode for another few weeks. Well, as we know, the forecast was inaccurate. We didn’t hit 20 C that week and while the snow is gone — for now — we are routinely waking up to temperatures near zero which means it is time for drivers to exercise winter driving habits to ensure their own safety and the safety of other vehicles and pedestrians.

It starts with equipment. I for one had to find the snow brush and ice scrapper and get them back into my vehicle. In addition, I had to swap the summer grade windshield wiper fluid that freezes for the winter variety I can count on to not freeze when I need it. It is also the time to consider snow tires and make sure you have an emergency roadside kit in the trunk.

I generally walk to work, partially for my own well-being, but mostly to just observe. To observe traffic, cyclists, construction zones, and other things that can play into community safety. It is a habit I developed early in my career from when it was mandatory for officers to walk the beat in their assigned “zone.” It taught us to observe and then be able to detect when something was out of place or abnormal.

Thursday morning, we woke to heavy frost on vehicles that had formed overnight in the -4 C temperatures. I had two take-away observations that morning. The first was that certain areas that had steam coming up through sewer grates and manholes had developed black ice. It was not pervasive throughout the city but it was there all the same.

Many of today’s new vehicles will have an ice warning that triggers to alert drivers icy conditions exist. I know that the police vehicle I typically drive warns at 4 C that icing may occur. I encourage all drivers to be mindful of ice and always maintain a safe distance between vehicles so that you can stop or evade a collision should you or a vehicle near you slide on ice.

The second take away was the number of motorists who did not take the time to clear their windshield of frost which will soon be replaced with full-on snow and ice. It is imperative that a driver be able to see where they are going. Every year, and this year has proven to be the same, I see a vehicle travelling down the road that has a hole measuring six inches in diameter cleared in the middle of the driver’s side of the windshield while the rest remains obscured. This is not safe and is outright dangerous. When it comes to navigating a corner it may be deadly. A vehicle approaching the intersection where the obscured-view vehicle has stopped waiting to turn or proceed may or may not be seen and a pedestrian about to cross in front of the offending driver will not be seen until they are directly in the field of vision created by the hole and by then it is too late.

Section 80 of the Traffic Safety Act states: “A person shall not drive a vehicle on a highway if, the view through the windshield or windows of the vehicle is so obscured by mud, frost, steam or any other thing so as to make the driving of a vehicle hazardous or dangerous.”

Lethbridge has a great walking system and I am always encouraged to see the amount of pedestrians we have that utilize our sidewalks. Add to this the number of youth that walk to their neighbourhood schools and one can quickly see that the need to take the extra five minutes to clear a windshield is worth it — and it’s the law.

In the name of being full, frank and fair, this past week the City experienced several vehicles stolen while people left them unattended to warm up. This is something that happens every year but can be prevented. In all of the cases the doors had been left unlocked and the owners were minutes away from leaving. I encourage everybody to lock their vehicles while they warm up. If you rely on your door remote, take the time to ensure it will lock when the vehicle is running. This may require checking the manual to find out how!