4 ways to avoid crashes this winter: SGI

It’s no surprise that collisions in Saskatchewan increase in winter time. On Thursday, crown insurance company SGI hosted a media event centred around providing tips to avoid crashes.

Tyler McMurchy with SGI said that although collisions are more common in winter, they are often the kinds that are more likely to damage the vehicle than the driver.

“Maybe vehicles are travelling a little bit slower or they tend to be in more urban areas where you’re seeing a lot more of those collisions that damage property,” he said.

With that being said, McMurchy said it’s still bothersome to deal with collisions even if no one is hurt, since those involved would have to deal with the costs amid a rising cost of living.

Be mindful at intersections

McMurchy said nearly half of all collisions occur at intersections. SGI advises people to look both ways before crossing – scanning from left to right.

People are advised to scan starting from their left because cars coming from their left represent the biggest potential hazard since they’re closest and face the driver’s side.

Other ways to prevent accidents at intersections include yielding the right of way, anticipating light changes as well as turning and signaling properly.

Drive for road conditions

SGI urged drivers to leave extra time for themselves to arrive at their destination in winter. It also encouraged people to increase their following distance of the vehicles ahead of them.

It also recommends that you maintain a large space ahead of you even if someone is tailing you aggressively.

Should someone be persistently tailgating, SGI said it’s best to pull over and let them pass instead of slamming the breaks as that could cause an accident or a road rage incident.

SGI said drivers should also slow down when necessary.

Generally, SGI recommends maintaining a three second distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you but this can be increased if visibility is poor or the road is slippery.

Focus and eliminate distractions

SGI stressed that driving should receive your full attention. Many people are aware of how cell phones can distract drivers but McMurchy said things like eating, smoking, grooming, applying makeup are all sources of distraction as well.

Respect speed limits

McMurchy said the speed limit is the fastest a person should go.

Since speeding decreases the amount of time drivers have to react, it can result in more collisions.

SGI also added that the faster you go, the more severe the crash.