We have more snow than expected so driving has got to be a little different. One of the things I often see is people in deep snow or on ice, spinning their wheels fast and not going anywhere! Please, take your foot off the gas and creep away slowly. All you do is make more ice underneath instead of moving forward. An old friend of mine was once stuck behind a row of cars on a hill, held up by a lady spinning her wheels at high speed and not moving. After a few frustrating minutes, got out of his car, walked up to the spinning car, reached in and gently lifted her foot off the gas pedal, applying a little gas, and her car moved slowly forward. He said, "and keep it light". My friend was over 6ft. and weighed about 275 lbs. so it was quite a shock for her, but she learned a lesson.
Another thing to remember in winter is to keep your car as clean as possible (I know it’s hard) but a clean car is easier seen, especially in bad weather! Also, in parking lots, it is ok to drive through, if you can, and park so you can drive out when leaving. But when parking on street, in bad weather or not, please avoid backing in as you hold up a whole line of traffic in this slow maneuver. If you are really good at this, go ahead, as long as you don’t have to make 2 or 3 tries at it. This kind of thing may result in road rage. Please think about other drivers and stay calm. In my day there used to be something called driver courtesy but I don’t think it exists anymore. Giving other drivers a break occasionally is a good idea, but not often put into use.
Safe driving in the meantime!
Safety Tip
Brake sooner in anticipation of icy patches at intersections. Your goal is to be fully stopped before the crosswalk. (This tip comes to you courtesy of Doug Annett of Safe Roads Canada.)
Phone Nos. (a list of valuable numbers to have)
For all emergencies – 911
To report non-emergency incidents or bad drivers 1-800-310-1122
Or by cell phone only *677
Road Watch
To report unsafe driving behaviour contact OPP Communications Centre:
*OPP (*677) on your Cell or
1-888-310-1122 on your Landline.
If you prefer a paper form, our forms are available at Mono Plaza and OPP at Primrose. Please use them, the life you may save could be your own or a loved one.
Don Butt is currently the Public Relations and Media Contact for the Mono Community Policing Committee. If you would like more information on anything covered in Don’s Column or would like to see a topic of public interest or safety covered; contact him here.
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