Become a Safer Winter Driver

This course will introduce the driver to the fundamentals of winter driving and also provide an overview of environmental factors that impact driving, vehicle control techniques, and emerging vehicle technologies.

Being prepared for winter driving is an important factor in reducing the risk of motor vehicle incidents (MVIs). Driving in adverse conditions can be challenging, but by learning how to prepare, adjust driving for the conditions, and apply the proper techniques, the risks associated with winter driving can be significantly reduced.

This course is self-paced and should take approximately 2 hours to complete the 6 modules and the final quiz. You will take the online quiz after you have completed the content, and you must achieve a minimum of 80% to pass the course. This course is intended primarily for drivers of passenger vehicles, light trucks and non-heavy commercial vehicles (although many of the same principles apply to driving heavy commercial vehicles).

• List the steps required to be prepared as a driver and to properly prepare the vehicle for winter conditions
• Identify the environmental factors that can impact driving in adverse conditions
• Identify and integrate the correct driving techniques for the conditions
• Describe the techniques required to maintain vehicle control

As you probably noticed, the footage from the video is 25 years old. Since that time vehicle safety systems and technologies have evolved and can potentially assist with maintaining vehicle control. Unfortunately, as demonstrated in the video, driver attitudes and behaviours are still contributing factors in crashes.

It is very common to believe we are above-average drivers. But like all skills, good driving behaviours can diminish over time.

The goal of this course is to review the knowledge and skills that can help reduce the risks associated with driving in winter and also highlight the importance of having a good attitude.