Winter driving stressful for many Canadians

A snowflake: For some Canadians, it’s a cue to get the skis and snowboards waxed and the scarf ready for the snowman. But for one-quarter of Canadians, that snowflake can be panic-inducing.

TD Insurance’s recent Winter Driving Poll found that 25 percent of Canadians admit to feeling anxious, scared or even panicked when faced with winter driving. Thirty-six percent said once the winter hits, they only drive when they need to.

“Winter driving can be stressful for even the most experienced driver,” says Henry Blumenthal, Vice President and Chief Underwriter, TD Insurance.  “Snow on the roads means an increase in auto insurance claims, so it’s important drivers educate themselves on how to stay safe on the roads this winter and make sure they have adequate insurance in the event that something unexpected happens.”

Older Canadians have benefited from their years of driving experience. The TD Insurance poll found that drivers aged 55 or over are more confident winter drivers (27 percent compared to 17 percent of Canadians aged 18 to 34) but they also are more knowledgeable about winter driving safety. For example, more drivers 55 or older knew that:

• If your vehicle breaks down you should run the motor for shorter periods of time instead of leaving it running if stranded (87% versus 66% of younger Canadians)
• Keeping your gas tank at least half-full will add weight and traction to your vehicle (69% versus 49% of younger Canadians)
• If your vehicle skids out of control on a slippery surface, you should steer in the same direction of the skid (57% versus 45% of younger Canadians)
• Using cruise control in winter can be dangerous (70% versus 64% of younger Canadians)

The poll also found that women are more likely than men to avoid driving in the winter (44% versus 29% of men) and to admit they feel anxious (26% versus 10% of men) when driving during snowy months.  However, both men and women say they feel more alert (49% and 54%, respectively) when driving in winter compared to the rest of the year.

“Drivers who are prepared for the elements will feel more confident and better equipped to drive in all types of winter weather,” says Blumenthal.  “Completing a winter driving course is not only a great way to keep safe in winter conditions, but it can also save you money on your insurance premiums.”

Blumenthal provides his advice for how Canadians can avoid unwanted insurance claims in winter:

WINTER DRIVING CHECK LIST:

1. Be prepared Check weather and road conditions.  If necessary try to delay your departure, or head for well-travelled roads. Have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including a snow shovel and brush, booster cables, candle and matches, blanket and cat litter (for traction).  Check out RoadSafetyFirst.com, an online resource dedicated to safe driving, offers articles on a variety of topics related to road safety, an RSS feed with the latest news, road conditions and weather, and tips for safe driving.
2. Drive slowly and leave room Travel at a safe pace to avoid losing control, and remember it takes longer to stop in winter weather conditions, so leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you.  Canadians say their two biggest winter driving pet peeves are drivers who follow too closely behind them (37%) and people who drive too fast (29%).
3. Check your vehicle Properly inflated, high quality winter tires will give you better traction on winter roads (and can even increase fuel efficiency!), so check tire pressure often.  It’s also important to clear ice and snow from your vehicle to increase visibility.  Chunks of ice or snow blowing off a vehicle in motion can be hazardous to other drivers.
4. Speak to your insurer Call your insurer and review your auto insurance policy so there are no surprises if you have to make a claim.

You might also be interested in: Auto insurance claims nearly double in winter 

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