Tips for safe road trips during the Holidays
The holidays this year might be a little different. No one is sure if we’re gonna be able to visit our relatives and have these big Christmas dinners. But if we can, you must be prepared to drive on icy roads and stay safe. A road trip during the winter requires a lot more precautions, but also the same essential items as summer road trips, with a few extra things.
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Winter tires
In Canada, winter tires are a must (in some provinces, like Quebec, they are mandatory from December 1st to March 15). Under a certain temperature (7°C or 45°F), all-season tires are not as performant as in normal conditions, which makes it more dangerous to drive on icy roads.
Winter tires are made from a different kind of rubber that stays flexible on the cold roads. If you are planning a winter road trip, you definitely should have winter tires installed.
Windshield wipers
If your wipers are getting tired, change them. Your windshield has to be as clear as possible to ensure you can drive safely.
#HowToAdult Tip
Your parents always took care of that for you? It’s easier than you think: go to a store that sells car accessories (in Canada, Canadian Tire is your best bet!). In the wipers section, there should be a manual; look up the make, model and year of your car, and it will tell you exactly what type to buy.
Snowbrush and ice scraper
I’m sure you always have one in your trunk, but in the winter, it is very important to have a snowbrush and ice scraper on hand if ice builds up on your windshield.
If, like me, you can’t reach the roof of your car, this is the snow brush you need. I have a Mitsubishi SUV and trust me, I have used a stool to remove the snow on top of it more than once. This brush fixed the problem for me.
Shovel
Having a shovel on hand is essential when you are stuck in a snowbank. While you don’t need a large shovel, make sure you don’t get yourself a cheap one that will break the second you hit the ice (yes, it happened to me).
Traction aids
These bad boys will help you if you get stuck in a snowbank during your winter road trip, or if you are stuck on a sheet of ice at a red light. You simply need to put them in front of your tires or behind, roll over them and you should be out of there in no time.
Cat litter, sand, or rock salt
Keep a heavy box or bags of cat litter, sand or rock salt in the trunk of your car; this will add some weight at the back of your car, which will help you to not slide so much in icy conditions, and you will have something on hand if you get stuck on ice (spread it around your tires to get some traction).
Keep that gas tank full
If something happens and you have to wait for a towing to get you out, you want to have as much fuel as possible to make sure you don’t freeze.
In my road trip from Montréal, QC, to Lawrence, KS, every time the tank was about half full, I would find a gas station and fill up the car. This gave us the opportunity to stop and use the restrooms, and to walk a bit.
Blankets and emergency kit
I always have a blanket in my trunk, whether I use it for picnics in the summer or to keep my kids warm in the winter. It’s probably one of my oldest blankets, with Disney’s Pocahontas characters on it, but hey, it does the job!
As I mentioned in the article Essentials for a solo road trip, you should also have a roadside emergency kit in your car that contains at least:
- A first aid kit
- Jumper cables
- A flashlight
- A tire gauge
- Cable ties
- Electrical tape
- Pliers
- A screwdriver
- Bungee cords
You could also add water bottles, hand warmers, snacks, and a battery charger for your phones and tablets. If you don’t know the area where you’re going very well, you could also add maps (yes, paper maps!) to your kit, just in case your phones or tablets are dead.
Keep a safe distance on the road
As usual, you should always drive carefully, but in the winter, be extra careful on the roads as the conditions could change quickly. You should also maintain a good distance between you and the cars around you to give you enough time to break if something would happen. Practicing extra safety will ensure your road trip goes smoothly!
The Holidays and COVID-19
In Quebec, the Holidays are officially canceled. We are not allowed to visit our families. However, if you are allowed to celebrate in your region, make sure to follow the social distancing rules. I know you want to see your family, but you don’t want your grandma to get COVID, don’t you? Wash your hands and stay home if you are feeling under the weather!
3 Comments
Joe @ Mini Riches
Here I am 35 years old and I never knew there was a such thing as snow tires! 😂 Great tips! Fortunately I learned a lot of these from growing up in Ohio farm country back in the late nineties (that weird time before cell phones). If your old raggedy car broke down out in nowhere in the middle of winter you were going to be sitting there for a while!!
Valerie
Hahaha! When I was a kid, winter tires were not mandatory in Canada, and I remember vividly cases where my parents were stuck on the ice at traffic lights, or worse, sliding in a curve on the highway. I can’t even imagine driving in the winter without snow tires! And yeah, because I remember what happened to my parents, I am extra careful about driving in the winter. However, I badly need to change my wipers! What’s the saying, do what I say, not what I do? 😛
Naomi
Love this post. Living in the UK, this hasn’t been much of an issue. However, we have plans to travel (especially Canada) and I will be taking this advice with me!