Driving In Bad Weather

Nova Scotia weather can change in the blink of an eye. It's important to learn how to drive in adverse conditions. A new driver may prefer to not drive in bad weather conditions but if they live in Nova Scotia, at some point they'll have to. I recently did a driving lesson in downtown Halifax under clear blue skies, then drove to Upper Sackville. When I arrived 30 minutes later, there were whiteout conditions due to a snow squall. I was not expecting to encounter snow while on my way to Sackville, let alone whiteout conditions, but my experience is what made me confident and that's what kept me safe. Confidence and poise is everything in challenging driving situations.

Powerful Nor'easter Winter Storm Slams Nova Scotia

It’s better to stay home when the weather is bad, but there are times like family emergencies or other circumstances beyond your control where you will have no choice but to drive. It would be better to have some experience driving in these conditions as the stress of an emergency or other pressing circumstances may be too much to handle on its own without the added stress of driving in bad weather. Being experienced at driving in these conditions reduces the anxiety it can produce and that will always help you make better decisions.

RAIN

Tips For Driving In Rain

When driving on the highway in any type of conditions the key is what you don't react to.

Reduce your speed and increase your following distance.
Drive in the tracks of other vehicles, because they have already cleared some water out of the lane with their tires.
Accelerate and brake more gradually.
Steer with smooth gentle motions.
Don’t use cruise control – If you were to hydroplane, the cruise control system would stay on which can cause the vehicle to keep accelerating. This is because the computer can't spot standing water in front of you.

Hydroplaning

Hydroplaning is when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably due to the tires encountering more water than the treads can displace. When this happens a thin film of water forms between the tire and the road, reducing the traction that keeps the vehicle stable and responsive.
Hydroplaning can be prevented by maintaining proper tire pressure and checking tire tread depth regularly. Always replace your tires when they are worn out or damaged. You should also avoid driving too fast or using cruise control in bad weather, and steer clear of puddles and standing water.
Hydroplaning can be recovered from by staying calm and easing off the accelerator pedal while keeping a firm grip on the steering wheel. Look and steer the vehicle in the direction you want to go. You should avoid braking or turning, as this can make the situation worse. Let the vehicle slow down gradually until you feel your tires regain traction with the road.

Car Hydroplaning: How to Stay Safe on the Road

GoPro captures Audi A4 Allroad Quattro losing control at 140 km/h...

FOG

Fog - Driving in the fog can be hazardous. If you are driving in fog reduce your speed and turn on your low beam headlights. Increase your following distance be patient and avoid trying to pass any vehicles. If it gets to0 hard to see pull over to a gas station or safe area and wait it out for a bit. Instead of taking the main highway you might prefer to take the old trunk route instead because trunk routes run along the main highway. It doesn’t matter how good of a driver you are if you can’t see anything you can’t react to anything.

SNOW

Just like in all other types of adverse conditions, the key is to be super gradual with every adjustment you make to the steering wheel and brake/gas pedals when driving in the snow. 2 centimetres of snow is much more dangerous than 20 centimetres because most drivers will be less vigilant. 20 Centimetres of snow actually provides some resistance to your tires which will help you to maintain control of the vehicle, and it will slow down much easier.

The most common place to see flying ice is at highway merges and overpasses, because these are the areas where a vehicle accelerates up to highway speed for the first time after a snow storm. A pothole is another spot where snow and ice will fall from vehicles and collect on the road.

Ice sheet flew off tractor trailer

How To Handle Skids

If you lose control and start sliding, avoid the urge to hit the brakes. Always ease your foot off the accelerator pedal when you feel the car starting to slide. Look where you want to go, not in the direction that the car is sliding to. You'll always end up going in the direction that you are looking.

Traction Control

When your tires start to slip you'll see this light flickering in the dash. It’s your Traction Control light and it’s telling you that your tires are slipping. This is because the computer is compensating by limiting power to certain wheels. Let up off of the accelerator pedal and you'll regain traction.

Spinout on highway 118 in Halifax Nova Scotia

Never hit the brakes if your vehicle starts to slide in the snow. The vehicle in this video wasn't slipping until the driver hit their brakes. Watch the brake lights of the vehicle.

How To Drive In The Snow

Snow Plows

It's best to not pass a plow mostly because they are clearing the road in front of you. It's legal to pass them cautiously but I don't recommend it unless they are driving extremely slowly.

Nova Scotia Snowplows And Their Hotshot Operators

Nova Scotia Plow Tracker

Black Ice

Driving on black ice is like playing Russian Roulette. The surface of the road will usually look clear, almost as if there's just rain on it, but don’t get too comfortable because the second you do that's usually when it will catch you off-guard. You might drive 20 kilometres without your vehicle slipping, but all it takes is one small patch to send you sliding into a spin.

How to correct a slide on an icy road – Winter driving education

Tires

Why I Love Tires

Like hockey skates or football cleats, the tires on your vehicle are what give you traction. Tires are the single most important part of your vehicle. Things to consider before heading out on the road. What condition are your tires in? All tires have wear indicators built into the tread. If your tire's tread is flush or near the wear indicator, then you'll want to have a trusted/professional mechanic look at them to make sure that they're safe to drive on. In Nova Scotia, 5/32’s is the minimum tread depth that is passable for Motor Vehicle Inspections.

Example of a tire that is worn out and needs to be replaced. The tires treads are flush with the wear indicators.

When you need to put air in your tires, always reference the information tag on the driver's door jam to determine the recommended air pressure. Never go by the information that's on the tire itself as that is the maximum air pressure for that tire. The information tag will tell you the proper amount of air pressure specific to your vehicle.

CNET On Cars – Car Tech 101: How tires work

Michelin Cross Climate tires are rated for all types of weather and they're the tires I recommend. You don't have to change them on winter or spring time since they're made to be driven year round.

Remember that tires are the most important part of any vehicle.