SUDBURY – It's an earlier start to winter than usual throughout the north, and it's a time when drivers need to adjust to the conditions.
Constable Michelle Coulombe of the Ontario Provincial Police says it is essential to turn on your headlights in a snowstorm.
"And not the day time running lights, cause those are intended to be used in good conditions. The day time running lights will not activate your tail lights or your parking lights, therefore you are not visible from the rear in a heavy snow storm," she explained.
"When you are driving in the winter, you obviously have to take into consideration the weather and road conditions, visibility, so making sure you give yourself extra room between you and the car in front of you, allowing you additional time to come to a complete stop," added Kaitlyn Dunn, Greater Sudbury Police Services.
Police say cleaning off your vehicle is the law because reduced visibility poses unnecessary hazards.
"You are not only responsible for yourself, but also for watching out for other individuals on the roadway, including pedestrians," says Dunn.
The fine for not having a clear view is $1100.00.
Police say collisions between snowplows and vehicles can be fatal and you should never pass a working one.
"Some of these snowplows on multi-lane highways travel staggered, or some have a wing that extends out into the other lane… we recommend you don't pass snow plows. It is extremely dangerous," Coulombe warns.
She advises that if you're stuck, or swerve off the road into a ditch, to make sure your exhaust is free of snow otherwise there is potential for it to collect poisonous carbon monoxide levels in the vehicle.
Police say not to blame weather conditions for collisions and that over 90% of them occur due to driver error.
