Put it on Ice: What worries Canadians about winter driving?

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A recent survey commissioned by Michelin Tires shines some light on exactly what worries Canadian motorists when they take the wheel in the winter.

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First, Michelin’s survey looked at what percentage of Canadians say they’re still worried about winter driving, even after they prepare their vehicles for the snowy season. The figure? Seventy per cent — and that’s after making proper preparations for winter driving including installation of quality winter tires.

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Put it on Ice: What worries Canadians about winter driving? Back to video

Below, we’ll break down the most commonly reported fears among Canadian drivers, as well as the single biggest winter-driving fear on the list.

According to the survey, many Canadians fear of the capability of other drivers, for instance, being struck by another motorist, or getting into an accident caused by the actions of another driver. If you’ve ever heard the saying “you might be a great driver, but watch out for everyone else”, that’s what’s going on, here. But at 11 per cent, it’s not the biggest fear reported by most winter-driving Canadians.

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The fear of losing control of your vehicle varies from province to province. This might be a fear of accidentally spinning off the road or losing the ability to steer on snow and ice. It’s the second-largest fear among Canadian drivers in the wintertime, with 18 per cent of Canadians saying it’s their biggest concern.

Topping the list? A fear of not being able to stop on ice or snow, perhaps causing a collision or being involved in a pile-up. Nationally, this tops the list of driver fears, with 29 per cent of drivers calling it their biggest concern. In summation: if you’re worried about wintertime driving, you’re probably worried about not being able to stop, not being able to control your car, or being involved in an accident caused by someone else.

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I asked performance driving instructor, stunt driver, and Michelin winter tire expert Carl Nadeau why so many Canadian drivers say they’re worried about winter driving, and what they can do to help boost their confidence at the wheel.

“We lack good driver training, first of all,” Nadeau says. “Unfortunately, a lot of drivers have never driven in winter when they get their licence, and most driving instructors are not expert winter driving instructors, or expert defensive driving instructors.”

Nadeau is concerned about how little most Canadian drivers are taught about the way vehicles respond to them in different conditions, and how little awareness most drivers have about how their actions affect the way the vehicle handles in the snow. Some drivers still aren’t getting the message about winter tires, either.

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But at 20 below, don’t think you’ve got any grip with an all-season or summer tire

Carl Nadeau, driving instructor, stunt driver, and Michelin winter tire expert

“Unfortunately, a lot of drivers get caught — they think their all-season tires, or in some case summer tires, are good enough on a beautiful sunny day when the roads are clear. But at 20 below, don’t think you’ve got any grip with an all-season or summer tire,”  he says.

Nadeau mentions a problematic driver perception where vehicle electronics and all-wheel drive (AWD) are seen as an alternative to winter tires. This over-reliance on technology is dangerous.

“Why would I invest in winter tires, when my car can do everything?” Nadeau explains, quoting one conversation with a recent student. “Well, your car can do everything, except grip the road.”

Using proper winter tires makes your winter driving safer, increases driver confidence, and helps drivers experience less stress an and anxiety at the wheel. Of course, a quality set of winter tires slashes stopping distances on slippery surfaces, too.

From the basis of driving a well-prepared vehicle with proper tires, Nadeau says drivers can take other steps to help alleviate their fear of a sudden loss of control, inability to stop, or being struck by another motorist. Among his recommendations? Set yourself up at the wheel with a seating position that makes it easy to keep your eyes trained as far up the road as possible, while also maintaining a big gap between you and the next vehicle in traffic.

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Looking further ahead slows down the scenery, making things come at you more slowly, and gives you more time to plan and react. Leaving a big gap in traffic helps too, enabling drivers to benefit from seeing plenty of the pavement ahead to look for signs of black ice or other trouble. Maintain and guard that gap at all times, practice keeping your eyes up while glancing around, and you’ll probably feel more at ease and relaxed — which could save your life.

“Drivers need to be relaxed,” Nadeau adds. “If you’re tense, you can’t control the car precisely. I can even see you in traffic, swerving in a straight line because you’re too tense at the wheel.”

Nadeau says this tension tends to lead to the sort of accident where the driver figures their car ‘just spun out’ for no apparent reason.

“When drivers are relaxed, it’s easier to control the car, and easier on the driver.”