10 tips for safe winter driving

With files from Tyler Wade

This article was originally published on  January 4, 2019 and was updated on December 11, 2025. 

You may have wished for a white Christmas from the warm confines of your cozy house, but it’s much easier to drive on a road without snow and ice.  If you do find yourself driving in the snow, it’s best to be prepared to avoid getting into a collision. Avoiding at-fault accidents can help keep your premiums from skyrocketing and make it easier to get cheaper car insurance quotes when it comes time for renewal or shopping the market. 

If it’s unsafe to drive, look for an alternative mode of transportation or reschedule your plans. Remember, your safety should always come first. But if you’re in a position where you still need to get on the road, make sure you’re ready for the conditions. Let’s explore winter driving tips to keep you safe this season.

Here are 10 tips for safe winter driving:

 

Winter driving tips: Before you drive

1. Prepare your vehicle for winter driving.

This includes having a winter weather emergency kit in the car with blankets, flares, and jumper cables. You should also install winter tires, which, in addition to keeping you safe, could also get you a discount on your auto insurance policy. In Ontario, winter tire insurance discounts are mandatory, whereas in Quebec, you could receive a fine for driving without them. Double-check that you have windshield wiper fluid and a good ice scraper and snow brush, too.

Also read: How to prepare your car for winter driving

2. Plan your trip

Where are you going? Are the roads cleared of snow? In Ontario, you can use 511 to check road conditions, view highway cameras, and even enter where you start and end your journey and pick the safest route.  You can also track road plows to avoid them or follow in their cleared path.

3. Give yourself extra time

Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination when driving in winter. Dangerous conditions will make everyone a little slower, and if any collisions occur, that will only slow traffic down even more. You don’t need to panic, speed up, or make any rash decisions on your way. The extra time will put you at ease.

4. Charge up your phone

Cell phones can be invaluable for calling someone in an emergency or tracking your location should the need arise. It’s a good idea to stay in communication with the people you’ll be visiting or with family back at home, so everyone is aware of your status.

5. Check your car

Scrape off ice and snow from your windows, your roof, side-view mirrors, your wiper blades, and your hood. You don’t want to drive and have loose snow flying in your face. Having clear vision everywhere you look is crucial for safe winter driving. 

Winter driving tips:  On the road

1. Drive slow & steady

The biggest cause of winter collisions is driving too quickly. Let the drivers around you know your intentions – use your signals, check your mirrors, and change lanes when appropriate. Avoid sharp turns, which can cause your wheels to lock up. Don’t brake abruptly, and always maintain a safe distance.

2. Stay off the bumper

Don’t tailgate other cars. In icy conditions, cars can take much longer to stop compared to a dry road. Keep a safe distance from the cars in front of you to allow for a secure stop.

3. Before you turn, apply the brakes

Signal your intentions with your indicators, check your blind spots, gently apply the brakes, and make the turn slowly when appropriate. At night, be extra cautious when watching for pedestrians and cyclists.

4. Learn to control skids and lockouts.

Your car will respond differently to a skid depending on whether it has rear-wheel, front-wheel, or four-wheel drive. If your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), learn how to use it correctly (e.g. don’t pump the brakes). Vehicles manufactured after 2012 have Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a system that helps you stay in control if you suddenly need to brake or swerve. However, even with ESC, driving carefully is still essential to avoid a potential accident. 

5. Pay attention

It seems obvious when you’re driving, but in dangerous conditions, the possibilities are endless. Double-check that your lights are turned on. Turn your phone off or put it in driving mode. Don’t use cruise control because your mind may drift. If you’re tired, find a rest stop. You need to be fully aware, as any maneuvers you make are more difficult in the snow.

For more info, check out Transport Canada’s tips on safe winter driving. 

What’s the impact of a collision on your insurance premiums?

Getting into a car accident is not only dangerous but also expensive. Making an at-fault insurance claim for an accident you caused will be recorded on your driving record and will increase your premiums. Many insurers consider at-fault accidents when calculating rates for six to nine years, meaning a single claim could follow you for a long time. 

To highlight the potential impact this could have on your insurance, we compared auto insurance rates for a 35-year-old male in Toronto driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 with an at-fault collision vs. a clean driving record.

^{Note: The quotes include $1,000 comprehensive and collision deductibles and $1,000,000 in liability coverage. No bundling or telematics discounts were applied. Insurance rates vary based on factors such as age, location and vehicle make and model. Compare personalized auto insurance quotes to see how your rates could be impacted.} 

In our scenario, one at-fault claim increased the driver’s auto insurance premiums by 65%. The sharp increase in cost highlights the importance of driving cautiously, especially in snow, wind and ice. 

However, even the safest drivers can still get into an accident. Beyond insuring your vehicle for collision insurance, which will help you repair or replace your vehicle after an at-fault incident, consider adding accident forgiveness protection as an add-on to your existing policy. This endorsement can protect your premiums from skyrocketing with your insurer by forgiving you/disregarding your first at-fault accident - i.e. it won’t be factored into your policy renewal rate. 

Not all insurers offer an accident forgiveness endorsement, so ask your broker or provider if it’s available. Keep in mind that you must have this coverage in place before getting into an accident to avoid a premium increase, and you can’t have any existing at-fault accidents on your record to qualify.

The bottom line

Driving in snowy and icy conditions can be dangerous if you’re not prepared. Following these winter driving safety tips will ensure you’re ready to get on the road this winter season. Remember, getting into a car accident could increase your premiums. To avoid a costly claim, drive safely, take extra time, be cautious and of course, compare car insurance quotes to find the best coverage for you at the right price. 

Also read:

• Do winter tires save money on car insurance? 
• How to prepare your car for winter
• 15 ways to get cheap car insurance in Canada