Driver Safety

Safe Driving Advice

Winter driving in Saskatchewan can be stressful. Roads get slippery, snow makes it harder to see, and the cold is tough on your vehicle. A little preparation goes a long way. Our driver and vehicle safety checklists below cover the basics, like checking road conditions, packing a roadside safety kit, and getting your winter tires, battery, and block heater ready.

Winter Driver Safety Checklist

  • Check winter road conditions: Check the Highway Hotline before you leave so you know what to expect on Saskatchewan roads. Once you’re out there, drive for the conditions. Slow down, leave more room between you and the vehicle ahead, and give yourself extra time to get where you’re going.

  • Clear snow and ice before you drive: Take a few extra minutes to defrost your windows and brush off the snow and ice. If you can’t see clearly, you’re not ready to go.

  • Avoid distracted driving (#UnplugAndDrive): Put your phone away. Try to skip other distractions too, like eating, drinking, grooming, smoking, long conversations, or adjusting your music or navigation. Keep your eyes and your mind on the road.

  • Slow Down, Move Over: In Saskatchewan, it’s the law to slow to 60 km/h and move over for tow truck operators, emergency personnel, law enforcement, and construction crews working on the highway. They’re working just steps from traffic, and giving them room can be a matter of life and death.

  • Watch for snowplows: Snowplows use blue and amber flashing lights so you can spot them more easily. When you see one, slow down and stay well back. You can learn about the Snow Zone and how to pass a snowplow safely on the Ministry of Highways website.

  • Stay connected: Bring your phone and a charger so you can call for help or CAA Roadside Assistance if something goes wrong. It’s also a good time to make sure your driver’s licence, vehicle insurance, travel insurance, and CAA membership are up to date.

  • Pack a winter roadside safety kit: Keep non-perishable food, a shovel, an ice scraper, a snow brush, and booster cables in your vehicle. Add extra mitts, toques, parkas, footwear, and blankets so everyone on board can stay warm. You can pick up a roadside safety kit at any CAA Saskatchewan Store.

  • See and be seen: Turn on your headlights and taillights before sunrise, after sunset, and any time the weather is bad or it’s hard to see. Don’t drive a phantom vehicle. If your taillights aren’t on, drivers behind you may not see you until it’s too late.

  • Winter driving on rural roads: Rural roads can be even trickier in winter. You’re more likely to come across wildlife and poor visibility, so take extra care. For more tips, read Driving in the Country? CAA’s Got Your Back.

  • What to do if your car is stuck in the snow: It happens to the best of us. Once you’re out, check your vehicle for damage and make sure it’s safe to drive before you carry on. For more dos and don’ts, read 6 Things to Do When Your Car is Stuck in the Snow.

  • Stay safe on the road: Saskatchewan winters are long. Keep these tips in mind each time you get behind the wheel.

Winter Vehicle Safety Checklist

  • Install winter tires: CAA recommends putting on winter tires once daily temperatures are consistently below 7°C. They’re made with rubber designed for the cold, so you get better traction and control. When you’re shopping for tires, think about the tread design, type of rubber, size, and the conditions you usually drive in.

  • Check your tire pressure: Check it regularly. The right tire pressure helps with traction and fuel efficiency. Tires that aren’t properly inflated can be dangerous, and they wear out faster, which means paying for new ones sooner.

  • Inspect your brakes: Have your brakes inspected and serviced if needed. You’ll want all the stopping power you can get on icy, snow-covered roads.

  • Check your car battery: Cold weather is hard on batteries, and yours may need a charge or a replacement. You can have a traditional vehicle battery checked at the CAA Battery Depot or any CAA Approved Auto Repair Service location.

  • Top up fluids and check belts: Make sure your antifreeze, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid are topped up. You’ll count on all three this winter. While you’re at it, check that your belts have the right tension.

  • Keep your gas tank at least half full: A fuller tank means less moisture in the gas tank and a little extra weight in your vehicle.

  • Check your block heater and cord: Plug in your vehicle when it hits -15°C. Check the cord first to make sure it isn’t frayed.

Winter Driving FAQs

How do I get my car ready for winter in Saskatchewan?
Start with winter tires once daily temperatures are consistently below 7°C. Then check your tire pressure, brakes, and battery. Top up your antifreeze, brake fluid, and washer fluid, check your belts, keep your tank at least half full, and make sure your block heater cord isn’t frayed.

When should I put winter tires on my car in Saskatchewan?
CAA recommends putting them on once daily temperatures are consistently below 7°C.

When should I plug in my vehicle?
Plug in when it hits -15°C. Check your block heater cord first to make sure it isn’t frayed.

What should I keep in a winter roadside safety kit?
Non-perishable food, a shovel, an ice scraper, a snow brush, and booster cables are a good start. Add mitts, toques, parkas, footwear, and blankets so everyone can stay warm. You can pick up a roadside safety kit at any CAA Saskatchewan Store.

How fast should I drive past tow trucks and emergency vehicles?
Slow to 60 km/h. It’s provincial law when you’re passing tow truck operators, emergency personnel, law enforcement, or construction crews working on Saskatchewan highways.

Where can I check winter road conditions in Saskatchewan?
The Highway Hotline has current road conditions. It’s worth a quick look before you head out.

Distracted Driving

Nearly 8 in 10 Canadian drivers (79%) admit to being distracted while driving, according to a CAA poll. And among the most dangerous distractions people name are their own in-vehicle technologies, like a phone, the vehicle console, or voice-activated features. Distracted driving is already the largest cause of collisions in Canada, but the reasons behind it are evolving. New technology in vehicles these days can make a ride more convenient, or even safer, but the combination of all that tech together can lead to even more distraction.  

Asked to say what is distracting them these days, Canadians listed in order: eating or drinking, interacting with the vehicle’s console, using voice-activated features, and using their phone. It’s impossible to eliminate all distractions, but to keep yourself and others as safe as possible on the road, CAA urges you to do as much as you can to reduce distractions before you drive. Set the destination, check your safety features, put the phone on do not disturb – these are the kinds of things we can do before we start driving. Distracted driving contributes to 21% of fatal collisions every year, up from 16% a decade ago (Transport Canada). Staying safe boils down to one thing: stay focused on your driving, and whenever possible, deal with distractions before you drive.  

CAA’s distracted driving campaign brings home this message. It’s called #BeforeYouDrive and urges drivers to get it all out of the way before leaving. The campaign, featuring a vibrant video and catchy tune, is playing on social channels in Saskatchewan and across Canada.  

Watch the videos on the CAA Saskatchewan YouTube page.

Watch: Do It All Before You Drive

Watch: Montage Unplug and Drive

CAA’s Top 10 safety tips to avoid distracted driving:

  1. Set your playlist, podcast, safety features, whatever you can, before you drive.
  2. Set the GPS and review directions before driving.
  3. Do not text, use apps, or check social media.
  4. Stow and secure loose objects.
  5. Avoid eating and drinking while driving.
  6. Prepare children with everything they need before driving.
  7. Allow plenty of travel time.
  8. Do not groom yourself.
  9. Always keep two hands on the wheel.
  10. Keep your eyes on the road.

Common Driving Distractions and How They Affect You. Learn more. 

Running Late? What are the Risks of Driving While Feeling Rushed?

If you’re driving a vehicle while running late, you can become very anxious. Every red light and vehicle in front of you can increase your stress. You are inclined to speed, make quick maneuvers, and rush through intersections in hopes of “saving time”. You’re also more likely to send a text message to someone letting them know you will be late. According to Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), driver inattention and distraction are responsible for 21% of all collisions. What can be done in preparation, before our journey begins, to ensure that we are ready to drive while staying distraction-free and anxiety-free? Read Take Control of Your Focus: De-stress the Drive.

Source: Saskatchewan Safety Council

Child Passenger Safety

When it comes to travelling with your children, ensuring their safety is your priority. One important aspect of that safety is car seat usage. CAA has been helping parents keep their children safe inside and outside the vehicle for decades. Read more about the Importance of Car Seat Safety.

Phantom Vehicles

Don't Be a Phantom on the Road

Once upon a time, a dim instrument panel reminded motorists that their headlights weren’t engaged. But in most new vehicles, the panel is backlit anytime the engine is running. This leads some motorists to assume their daytime running lights (DRL) are also on. The problem? Many drivers mistake that glow for their headlights being on - when in fact, only the daytime running lights (DRLs) are active, and in some vehicles, DRLs don't include rear lights.

Before sunrise, after sunset, and in bad weather, you get what are known as phantom vehicles. These are cars that are virtually invisible from behind because their rear lights aren’t on. It’s a pet peeve for many drivers. And it’s a safety issue due to the visibility risks. The motorists following you can’t see your taillights, and it decreases their reaction time to brake or avoid a rear-end collision.

So how can you ensure your car is lit? Many vehicles have an “Auto” option whereby sensors gauge ambient light to switch between DRL and a fully engaged headlight system; just make sure that the setting is on. Look for an “A,” “Auto,” or the DRL symbol on your light dial. For cars lacking an automatic option, keeping your headlights on when driving is the safest bet.

The Government of Canada announced safety legislation that will require all new cars sold in Canada as of 2021 to be more visible in low-light conditions.

This new safety standard will require auto manufacturers to do one of the following:

  • Have daytime running lights and taillights come on when the vehicle instrument panel is illuminated, and the vehicle is in operation.
  • Automatically turn on the headlights, taillights, and side marker lights in low-light conditions; or
  • Keep the driver’s instrument panel dark so the driver knows to turn on all the lights.

To increase awareness about phantom vehicles, CAA partnered with Transport Canada on the See and Be Seen campaign. To learn more about phantom vehicles and how to help raise awareness, please visit www.tc.gc.ca/SEEandbeSEEN.

Senior Drivers

The fact is that our population is aging.

While more experience is a good thing, so is awareness that some age-related changes are inevitable. Over the years, our pupils get smaller and can affect our ability to drive safely. Hearing loss can affect our ability to react to our surroundings, and diminishing motor skills can affect our reaction time. Those changes don’t have to mean the end of a driving life. Here are some driving resources to help you out.

Seniors’ Toolkit: CAA, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) have designed a toolkit for seniors and their loved ones. Use the senior’s toolkit to assess fitness to drive under different conditions, stay safe behind the wheel, maintain driving confidence as you age, and take concrete steps to modify driving habits if needed. Learn more

CAOT CarFit Program: CarFit is an educational program for mature drivers offered by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT). Participants receive education on how the fit of their vehicle can affect their driving. Drivers will learn to understand and apply the built-in safety features of their vehicle. Learn more

55 Alive Mature Drivers Program: The 55 Alive Mature Drivers Program is offered by the Saskatchewan Safety Council. Contact the Saskatchewan Safety Council for more information.

Young Drivers

There’s nothing quite like the freedom that comes with a driver’s licence. It can mean independence and open new possibilities for travel, employment, and education.

But there are responsibilities associated with driving that all drivers should be aware of to help make the roads safer for everyone.

Here are five safety reminders for young drivers: 

1. Safety First

Safety is every driver’s main responsibility – the safety of everyone in and around your vehicle: passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Obey the rules of the road and always pay attention to your surroundings. Safe driving behaviour will also help keep your insurance costs down.

You can make a difference even if you’re not in the driver’s seat. As a passenger:

  • Do not distract the driver. Instead, offer to be a designated phone user to reduce any distractions to the driver.
  • Be vigilant and let the driver know about anything that may compromise safety.
  • Never travel with drivers who are impaired or behaving dangerously.

2. Plan Ahead

Cannabis and alcohol may be legal in Canada but driving while under the influence of these and other substances is not. The consequences of impaired driving are harsh and can be deadly. We have information and resources on cannabis to help you and your loved ones stay safe on the road. Learn more

3. Avoid distractions

Music, apps, maps, and social media are all frequently used while driving and pose the same threat as calling or texting. While most Canadians recognize the risks of distracted driving, 1 in 6 Canadians have admitted to driving distracted. Being at the wheel of a vehicle is complex multi-tasking – it challenges you to watch, listen, steer, brake, anticipate, and calculate in real time. Focus your attention on driving. If you need to take your eyes off the road, pull over safely and stop. #UnplugAndDrive

4. Understand the cost of driving

Your expenses will include more than just the vehicle purchase cost. There are licence and registration fees, taxes, and insurance. Use our Driving Costs Calculator to figure out your estimated total driving expenses.

5. Make a deal

If you are sharing a family vehicle, consider making an agreement or deal with your parents. Talk with them about ensuring you can have a safe ride home, without judgement, if you are in a situation where you do not feel safe driving the car home. In return, you retain driving privileges such as using the car on certain nights. 

Here’s some additional resources and advice for new drivers. Learn More