Distracted driving is a factor in 78% of collisions and 65% of near-miss incidents. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), drivers who use their cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in a crash. However, cell phones are not the only source of distraction that can take your eyes off the road. To help protect your safety and that of others, make it a habit to:

• Plan your route and set up your GPS before leaving.
• Keep your phone out of sight and silence notifications.
• Avoid eating or drinking while driving (or wait until you’re stopped at a red light).
• Limit adjustments to the radio and keep the volume low enough to hear surrounding traffic and road sounds.

Stay Calm in Traffic

The number of vehicles on the road continues to grow, and ongoing construction projects often lead to congestion and delays. It can be frustrating to see drivers speeding aggressively, cutting others off, or weaving from lane to lane. Yet staying courteous behind the wheel makes driving more pleasant and helps prevent accidents. Try to maintain a safe following distance, avoid unnecessary honking, use your turn signals to communicate your intentions, and give cyclists and pedestrians plenty of space. Everyone benefits from a more respectful driving environment.

Celebrate Responsibly

Heading out for a night with friends, after-work drinks, or a dinner out? Whatever the occasion, leave your car at home if you plan to consume alcohol or cannabis. Instead, use public transit, take a taxi or rideshare service, arrange for a designated driver, or use a safe ride-home service if transportation is needed.

Respect Speed Limits

Speeding is one of the leading causes of road accidents. To reduce risk, adjust your driving to the area you’re traveling through and the current road conditions. Take your time and stay aware of your surroundings. Doing so can help you avoid situations that require sudden braking while also reducing tire wear and improving fuel efficiency.

Pull Over if You’re Feeling Drowsy

According to the Canada Safety Council, driver fatigue is the third leading cause of traffic accidents after impaired driving and speeding. Make sure you’re well rested before getting behind the wheel. Watch for warning signs such as frequent yawning, drifting out of your lane, or difficulty keeping your eyes open. These are clear signals that you should stop driving and rest in a safe location. This is especially important when driving at night, when reduced visibility increases the risks associated with fatigue.

Drop Off Passengers Safely

Whenever possible, have passengers exit from the right side of the vehicle. Avoid stopping in the middle of the road or double-parking, even for a brief moment. Pull over safely or use designated drop-off zones when available. Be especially cautious when dropping off or picking up children at school.

While changing driving habits doesn’t happen overnight, adopting these six safe driving practices is a great first step toward becoming a safer driver.

Before you even hit the road, it’s important to perform a few checks on your vehicle. These simple steps may seem obvious, but they’re designed to prevent complications on the road and can even help avoid an accident.

1. Check your windshield washer fluid level before you leave. Even experienced drivers use a large amount of washer fluid during the winter months. Keep one or two extra containers in your trunk, just in case! Also, make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition. Snow and freezing temperatures can cause ice buildup that blocks your wiper blades and reduces visibility.
2. Clear all snow from your vehicle before getting behind the wheel. This advice may seem obvious, but accumulated snow—even on your roof or passenger-side windows—can affect your visibility and create hazards for other drivers. Snow left on your roof can be lifted by the wind and fall onto the road or other vehicles.

Learn to Share the Road

As a new driver, you’re still developing the instincts needed for safe winter driving—and that’s perfectly normal! You’re continuing to refine your driving techniques and learning how to apply the rules of the Highway Safety Code. Take a deep breath and keep these tips in mind:

1. Increase the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you. Snow and ice affect braking performance. Avoid slamming on the brakes; instead, apply steady, gradual pressure and allow yourself extra time to stop. This helps improve traction and reduces the risk of skidding or colliding with the car in front of you.
2. Try to drive in existing tire tracks rather than fresh snow. Fresh snow is often more slippery and can reduce traction.
3. Watch out for freezing rain. It can create black ice, which is nearly invisible on the road. Drive more slowly and avoid sudden movements that could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
4. Keep your cellphone out of reach while driving. It’s one of the biggest distractions on the road. If you absolutely need to use it for navigation, make sure you comply with all road safety regulations.

Follow the Rules Around Winter Maintenance Vehicles

Whether it’s a salt truck or a snowplow, when these vehicles have their blue flashing lights activated, you must not pass them. This is a lesser-known but very important rule of the road, especially during Quebec winters. It can sometimes be frustrating to wait behind a maintenance vehicle, but they are there to improve road conditions and keep everyone safe. Be patient and enjoy your favorite song while you wait.

Think About Your Auto Insurance

As a new driver, it’s also time to think about insurance. Auto insurance is required by law. Your insurance broker can help you choose coverage that fits your needs and budget, and can clearly explain how auto insurance works from start to finish.

Take Advantage of Helpful Features

With Intact Insurance’s my Drive program, you can benefit from a variety of tools designed to support you on the road, including weather alerts to help you plan your trips, maintenance reminders to keep your vehicle in top condition, and Collision Assistance should an accident occur.

This practical feature can detect serious collisions in real time and help connect you with assistance immediately. You can quickly contact emergency services, share your location with loved ones, follow an accident-scene guide if it’s your first collision report, submit a claim in moments, and locate nearby towing services if you don’t already have roadside assistance.*

Certain conditions apply. This article is provided for general informational purposes only. Please refer to your insurance policy, which always takes precedence.