{"id":1751,"date":"2026-07-14T11:50:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T15:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/?p=1751"},"modified":"2026-07-14T11:55:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T15:55:48","slug":"new-drivers-here-are-our-5-practical-tips-for-driving-in-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/new-drivers-here-are-our-5-practical-tips-for-driving-in-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"New drivers? Here are our 5 practical tips for driving in winter."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Your probationary driver’s licence is still fresh, and you’re just beginning to enjoy your newfound freedom on the road when winter starts creeping in! Keep these tips in mind to help you drive safely on snowy or icy roads from December through April. Face winter in Quebec with confidence, stay safe, and keep stress to a minimum.<\/p>\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Prepare Your Vehicle Properly<\/h1>\n
\n

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.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Check your windshield washer fluid level before you leave.<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n
  2. Clear all snow from your vehicle before getting behind the wheel.<\/strong> This advice may seem obvious, but accumulated snow\u2014even on your roof or passenger-side windows\u2014can 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.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Learn to Share the Road<\/h1>\n

    As a new driver, you’re still developing the instincts needed for safe winter driving\u2014and 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:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Increase the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n
    2. Try to drive in existing tire tracks rather than fresh snow.<\/strong> Fresh snow is often more slippery and can reduce traction.<\/li>\n
    3. Watch out for freezing rain.<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n
    4. Keep your cellphone out of reach while driving.<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Follow the Rules Around Winter Maintenance Vehicles<\/h1>\n

      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.<\/p>\n

      Think About Your Auto Insurance<\/h1>\n

      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.<\/p>\n

      Take Advantage of Helpful Features<\/h1>\n

      With Intact Insurance’s my Drive<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n

      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.*<\/p>\n

      Certain conditions apply. This article is provided for general informational purposes only. Please refer to your insurance policy, which always takes precedence.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t

      \n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Parlons de votre r\u00e9alit\u00e9<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Chaque situation est diff\u00e9rente, et prendre le temps d\u2019en discuter fait toute la diff\u00e9rence. Que vous ayez une question, un besoin pr\u00e9cis ou simplement envie d\u2019\u00eatre bien conseill\u00e9, notre \u00e9quipe est l\u00e0 pour vous accompagner et vous guider vers des solutions adapt\u00e9es \u00e0 votre r\u00e9alit\u00e9.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\tarrow_forward<\/i>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNous joindre\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNous joindre\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/mask>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/g>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/linearGradient>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/linearGradient>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/linearGradient>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/defs>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1750,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vehicle"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1751"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1751\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1753,"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1751\/revisions\/1753"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1750"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.courtika.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}