Drive Safely this Winter

With winter finally upon us, make sure you stay safe and travel prepared when driving.

Temperatures are predicted to continue falling as the week progresses. If you are planning on travelling during this time, make sure to be prepared. 

• Dress appropriately for the weather and, if possible, ensure you have additional blankets or warm clothing in the vehicle with you should you break down or get stuck.
• Keep a supply of water and non-perishable food in your vehicle should you break down or get stuck, as it may take friends, family, or emergency services some time to reach you.
• Inform friends or family members where you are going and when you intend to be there, especially during night time hours or if the location has poor or no cell coverage.
• Avoid travel during extreme weather, such as blizzards, freezing rain, or blowing snow, or restrict travel to daylight hours.
• Blowing snow can mean low or zero visibility. If driving in these conditions, proceed slowly and with caution, as vehicles and wildlife can be completely obscured by the snow. 
• While 4-wheel drive is helpful in icy and snowy situations it is not a solution, and cautious, careful driving practices should still be observed.
• Roads can remain icy several hours after the end of a storm. If you need to travel, drive with caution and, if possible, wait until road crews have enough time to address the conditions before leaving.

Safety Tips for Passing Plows and Graders

Please be aware of slow moving graders and snowplows. Our graders and plows use highways to get around the County to keep all of our roads clean and safe.

• Treat graders and plows as slow moving vehicles, and only pass when it is safe to.
• Watch for signal lights while on the highway.
• When graders and plows are working please stay further back and only pass when it is safe, or when the operator signals for you to do so.
• Allow our graders and plows extra room at intersections as they may be backing up or turning around.
• Stay behind any dust or snow clouds so that oncoming traffic, and grader and plow operators, can see your vehicle clearly.

Ultimately, your safety is the top priority. If you don't have to travel during extreme weather conditions, please stay home, and if you do, make sure to be prepared.