Car Chick

Which province boasts the most confident winter drivers?

Overall, Canadians are confident, prepared and careful winter drivers, according to a new study commissioned by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited.

Nearly 80 per cent of Canadians say they are at least somewhat confident in their ability to drive in snowy or icy conditions and more than 85 per cent of Canadian drivers take extra precautions on the road by leaving extra space and decreasing their speed.

Other survey findings include:

• Drivers in the Prairies and married couples tend to be more confident, better prepared and more cautious drivers when compared to the rest of Canada. Albertans are the most confident winter drivers – 43 per cent say they are very confident when it comes to braving winter road conditions.
• Remember, being prepared is half the battle. Drivers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the most prepared drivers in Canada as they are more likely to pack essential and emergency tools like an ice scraper, booster cables, shovel, first-aid kit and extra shoes and clothing.
• It’s always good to have an emergency stash. Drivers in British Columbia are more likely than drivers in any other province to have extra food and snacks on-hand in case of emergency.
• Cars need “winter shoes” too. Canadians in Atlantic Canada (76 per cent) are more likely to install winter tires on their vehicles than any other province (not including provinces where installation mandatory) while less than half of Ontarians (44 per cent) do – the lowest number when compared to the rest of the country.
• Two heads are better than one. Married drivers are more cautious than single drivers when on the road:
  - 90 per cent of married drivers decrease their speed in snowy conditions versus 78 per cent of single drivers.
  - Married drivers are more likely to install winter tires on their vehicles than single drivers (68 per cent versus 51 per cent).

SGR's next Winter Driver Training Event, Sunday January 22, 2012

Now that the new year is here, why not resolve to learn how to drive more safely and ensure your loved ones are safe on the winter roads.

The next Sweetie Girl Racing Winter Driver Training event is set for January 22 at the Mosport Driver Development Track in Bowmanville, ON.

For more information and to register visit http://bit.ly/2012SGRADT1 or contact SGR.

How to Drive in Freezing Rain

After a green Christmas in Toronto, forecasters are expecting the first significant snowfall of the season. With the current rain/snow mix and temperatures fluctuating around zero, freezing rain is a definite possibility. Here are tips for driving in these dangerous conditions.

The first tip is, if you don't have to drive, stay home! Ice and driving don't mix, and in freezing rain conditions the roads become like a skating rink. If you've ever tried to walk across an ice rink, you know how difficult it is to avoid slipping. It’s the same with your car.

If you do have to drive, do so slowly and with extreme caution. Give your car a bit of gas, but avoid braking if possible –- this can just cause your car to skid and you will lose control of the vehicle.

Keep a large distance between you and the car in front of you. Since you want to avoid using your brakes, you will need to ease off the gas to slow your car which means your stopping distance will be much longer. The greater the distance between you and the other cars, the better.

Leave extra time. You'll need to drive more slowly, so leave extra time to reach your destination. Speeding just makes driving more dangerous for you and others on the road.

Respect the salt/sand trucks. In bad weather the salt and sand trucks will be out in full force. They are there to make road conditions safer so you are actually safer behind them then trying to pass them. Be patient!

Drive for the conditions. Snow tires and all-wheel drive vehicles can help in winter conditions, but you still need to drive with caution. Don't think you can speed or fly past other vehicles –- you could end up in a collision or cause one.

Use winter windshield wipers and fluid. In freezing rain conditions, the rain can freeze immediately on your windshield, decreasing visibility. Be sure to run the front window defroster and rear window defogger to help keep the rain from freezing on the windows. Windshield washer fluid with a freezing point of at least -40 degrees can also help. Winter wipers will help keep the wipers on the glass rather than running over ice that is forming.

Drive with snow tires. If you have not yet installed your snow tires, call your local garage and make an appointment! While they are designed for snow, they do have more grip in freezing conditions.

Drinking and driving don't mix

The holiday season is full of office parties and family get-togethers. With that, the chance of tying one on and driving is much higher. That is why CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is urging drivers to plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.

“Don't let yourself or someone you love become another stat. Make safety a priority this holiday season, don't drink and drive,” said Silvana Aceto, Media & PR Specialist, CAA SCO.

CAA SCO recommends these holiday safety tips:

• Arrange for a designated driver
• Don't let friends drive drunk
• Call a cab
• Take public transit
• Stay overnight
• Call police if you see a suspected impaired driver

Meanwhile, for the past six years, CAA SCO has taken part in Operation Red Nose. The campaign offers safe rides home to partygoers over the holiday season.

Winter Driving 101

Winter is on the way and it won’t be long before our roads will be covered with a blanket of snow. CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) recommends drivers plan and prepare ahead for driving in cold and snowy conditions.

Get your vehicle ready for winter:

- Have your battery tested and replace weak batteries before they fail.
- Check your tire pressure and service your brakes.
- Make sure your wipers are in good condition.
- Pack an emergency kit.
- Install four matching winter tires.

“The right time to change to winter tires is when the temperature reaches 7°C or below,” said Silvana Aceto, Media & PR Specialist, CAA SCO. “In chilly weather, all-season tires turn hard and lose their elasticity. This causes reduced traction and results in longer stopping distances.”
 
Benefits of winter tires:

Winter tires help reduce braking distance on cold, wet, ice and snow-covered roads. Depending on the speed and the weather, the braking distance of winter tires can be up to 25 per cent shorter or two vehicles lengths compared to all-season tires. 

Winter tires contain silica which is a compound that keeps the tire flexible in cold temperatures and ensures excellent grip and braking on wet roads. Silica maintains its properties in low temperatures which help to maintain a firm grip on snow and ice packed roads.

Winter tires should only be installed in sets of four. With only two winter tires, your vehicle’s handling, stability, and braking are not fully optimized.

CAA Insurance policy holders save 5 per cent on their auto insurance premium when four winter tires are installed.

For all your winter driving needs visit your local CAA Car Care Centres.

How to handle a highway breakdown or collision

Every day, drivers call CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) for service because they have either been involved in a collision or their Ovehicle has broken down on the side of the road.

Ending up stranded on a busy highway can be nerve wracking and that’s why it’s so important to know what to do and how to stay safe in an emergency situation.

This week, CAA SCO, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the Ontario Provincial Police and Toronto Police Traffic Services launched a “Stranded Driver” Campaign to educate motorists on how to handle a breakdown or collision.

What to do if your vehicle breaks down:

• Stay calm and pull off the road safely.
• Note your vehicle’s location. This will come in handy when calling for assistance.
• If you must get out of your vehicle, watch carefully for oncoming traffic especially at night or in bad weather.
• Never stand behind or directly in front of your vehicle, as you are at risk of being struck by drivers who might not see you.
• If you CANNOT pull off the road, turn on your emergency flashers.
• Call 911 for help.

“Don't assume other drivers can see you if you become stuck on the side of the road,” said Henry Westenbrink, Manager ERS Operations, CAA SCO. “That’s why it is important for drivers to prepare for the unexpected.”

“Drivers should make sure their vehicles are road-ready because breakdowns and collisions can occur when least expected,” said OPP Sergeant Dave Woodford, OPP Highway Traffic Safety Division. “If you do become stranded on a highway, remember, don't panic.”

The “Stranded Driver” safety checklist will be available at CAA Car Care Centres, select CAA Travel Stores and select ServiceOntario locations until the end of the year. Drivers can also download the tips at www.caasco.com/StrandedDriver and place the handy guide in their glove box.

Driving tricks for a safe Halloween

The house is decorated with jack-o-lanterns and cobwebs, the Halloween candy is in a bowl by the front door and the children’s costumes are picked out. One of the spookiest nights of the year is almost here and with so many ghosts and goblins out on October 31, it can be especially scary for drivers and pedestrians.

CAA South Central Ontario recommends driving tips to stay safe trick-or-treating:

• Be alert in residential areas after dark when most trick-or-treating takes place.
• Try to stay below the speed limit, use your headlights and give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
• Pay extra attention and be prepared to stop at any time.
• Watch for any children darting across the street or out from between parked cars.
• When pulling in or backing out of driveways pay particular attention for children on the sidewalks.

Halloween tips for parents:

• Replace your child’s mask with makeup to make sure they have a clear view of their surroundings.
• Avoid costumes that are dark colours, instead choose bright colours or add reflective tape.
• Accompany your child when trick-or-treating.
• Remind children to stay on sidewalks and when crossing the road to look both ways.

Have a safe and happy Halloween! 

Electric Vehicles are Fun to Drive

So much for range anxiety. A new study of people given a test EV (electric vehicle) found that every single one of them was happy with it as their primary car, says Michael J. Coren of Fast Company in "It Turns Out Electric Vehicles Are So Fun To Drive, You Won't Want To Go Back".

It can seem crazy to think that electric vehicles will replace gasoline engines anytime in the near future: range anxiety, charging times, price, and plain old inertia are all touted as deal-killers. But a new study found that drivers actually preferred their electric car over their conventional clunker (or even a Porsche and Lexus in some cases) after a trial program leasing 450 electric Mini E's to drivers in Los Angeles, New York, and New Jersey…

Read the entire article…

TTC's New Toronto Rocket Train “Out of Service”

Last night I was waiting for the subway when one of the Toronto Transit Commission’s new Toronto Rocket trains entered the station. After weeks of hearing about these ultra-modern trains that started running back in July, I was excited to finally have the opportunity to ride in one.

However, as the train got closer, I could see the “out of service” sign. It was near the end of rush hour, so perhaps they were removing the extra trains from service. I couldn't help but wonder: why not park one of the older trains and keep this shiny new one running for the evening?

As the train passed by, I noticed there was yellow emergency tape blocking all the doors – could it be that these highly publicized new trains are already suffering mechanical problems after only two months in service? At a cost of $18.2 million per train, let’s hope not!

Women Increasingly Buying Motorcycles, Starring in Freedom-Themed Montages

From Jezebel.com -- In this era of inside voices, Netflix Instant, and the infinite staying-in-excuses the Internet offers, some women are choosing instead to seek freedom and adventure outside, on the seat of a motorcycle. Yes, women are climbing onto hogs from coast to coast in record numbers, and not from the vantage point of sitting behind some dude who is driving them around; the number of female motorcycle owners increased 52% from 2003 to 2008. It's positively trendy to be badass!...

To read the entire article visit Jezebel.com.

Image via Igor Sheremet/Shutterstock