The cold winter months can cause uncertainty on our roads. In Saskatchewan, icy road conditions are an ongoing concern for residents during the winter months and occasionally force us to alter our driving plans. When travelling over the winter months, the Saskatchewan Safety Council would like to remind drivers to take caution when driving from destination to destination.

Everyone should take the time to phone family, friends or relatives before heading out and provide them with your driving route, as well as your estimated time of arrival. It’s very important to check weather and road conditions before heading out onto the road and always travel at a speed that is appropriate for the weather and road conditions.

Every vehicle should have a well equipped emergency kit, which includes the following items:

• Extra warm clothing for every person in the vehicle including jackets, mitts and toques (be sure to store these items in the vehicle with you and never in your trunk)

• Blanket

• Snow brush/ice scraper

• Shovel

• Sand or other traction aid

• Tow rope or chain

• Booster cables

• Warning lights

• Gas line antifreeze

• Flashlight and batteries

• First aid kit

• Fire extinguisher

• Small tool kit

• Candle and small tin can

• Matches

• Non-perishable foods (granola bars, chocolate, soup, juice, bottled water)

Preparing yourself and your vehicle ahead of time can save your life if you are ever in an emergency!

Lee Carlson has been a Senior Safety Program Instructor with the Saskatchewan Safety Council for over 10 years.  He is a former Training Coordinator with the Ministry of Highways and Transportation and brings over 30 years of knowledge and experience to many of the Council’s traffic related programs including Defensive Driving, SkidSmart, Trailering, 55 Alive, Driver Audits and Workzone to name a few.  He also contributes to the Council’s Annual Industrial Safety Seminar, presenting on topics such as safe winter driving and workzone safety.

On Thursday, October 14th, Capital Ford teamed up with the Sask Safety Council for a winter driving clinic to do just that. The media conference and free inspections that followed we’re well received and attendance was impressive.  For a quick peek at the day check out this video!

6 Tips to Staying Safe This Winter

Capital Ford Lincoln, The Sask Safety Council and Ford Canada are pleased to provide the following tips on how to be ready for winter conditions to avoid getting stuck out in the cold. Read on for those tips!

1. Vehicle maintenance:  Vehicles that have been regularly maintained according to their manufacturers required maintenance schedule should be ready for winter weather.  If not, a visit to the local dealership to “catch up” on your required maintenance will ensure the vehicle is ready for the season.

2. Read your owner’s manual: All vehicles have different characteristics that will react to winter weather differently.  This is a good time to check the manual for your particular vehicle’s winter driving tips.

3. Monitor tire wear:  There are three important aspects when it comes to tires: pressure, tread wear and age.

• Tire pressure:  Cold weather causes tires to lose pressure and become under-inflated; meaning your safety on the road is compromised.  Check your tire pressure regularly, especially when the temperature changes.

• Tire tread depth:  Proper tread depth can be key to slipping less and gripping the road better.

• Tire age:  Old tires can be unsafe tires, especially in the winter.  It is recommended that tires over six years old be replaced.

• All season and summer tires begin to lose their grip around 7 degrees Celsius.  Consider switching to winter tires for better handling and braking performance.

4. Drive safely and be alert:  Safe driving is always important.  Remember to slow down and leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you.  Also, avoid abrupt moves – don’t stop, start, or change direction suddenly and you’ll maintain better control of your vehicle in inclement conditions.

5. Goodbye cruise control:  Never use the speed control in slippery conditions.  If the weather suddenly becomes hazardous while cruise control is engaged, simply disengage it manually or lightly tap the brakes.

6. Get to know the safety feature alphabet:  Become more familiar with vehicle safety features such as ABS, TC, ESC and RSC, to understand how they can help.

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Vehicles equipped with an anti-lock braking system do not require the driver to pump the brakes in slippery conditions when hard braking is required.  Apply firm, continuous pressure on the brake pedal and ABS may activate to help you maintain control of the vehicle.

• Traction Control (TC):  This feature most often engages at low speeds.  In the majority of winter driving conditions, it is best to keep the traction control feature ON.  However, in extreme conditions – for instance, deep snow or sheer ice – it may be better to turn OFF your traction control to get moving.

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC):  ESC helps prevent your vehicle from skidding out or sliding laterally in slippery conditions.

• Roll Stability Control™ (RSC®):  AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ helps to avoid a rollover in a collision situation.

So as we enter “Winter 2010″ at Capital Ford we wish everyone safe driving.

For a family that has safety at the top of their list, the Ford Edge is very hard to beat! I wanted to post this sensational photo not exactly for the shock value but to show the curtain air bag system that did such a great job for this family. In a bad crash like this one, chances are the side windows will give out to the force of the on coming vehicle. All though the glass is engineered to shatter in the safest way possible, it shatters none the less. Not only does the safety canopy (or side curtain airbag) protect your mellon from hitting the beams and glass, it also deploys straight down within a fraction of a second saving your face and your passengers from flying derbies like shattered safety glass.

If you’d like to learn more about Ford safety or have any questions about how Ford’s safety technology works don’t be shy. Use the comment section below or call us here at Capital Ford at 543-5410 and ask for sales…. BTW we won’t try to sell you anything if all you want to do is ask about a few safety features! We’re always thrilled to help! We hope everyone stays safe and there’s no photos like this one that come out of this Saskatchewan Christmas.

Have a safe and happy holidays from your friends at Capital Ford Lincoln your Regina Ford, Lincoln and used car dealer.!