Before the snow falls and winter sets in, the Halifax Regional Municipality is sharing some winter safety tips to help road users be winter ready. Let’s all do our part to help yourself and others stay safer on the road.
Vehicle maintenance
- Keep a snowbrush or ice scraper in your vehicle and always clear your vehicle completely of ice and snow before driving. Snow can slide onto your windshield and block your view – or blow off and hit someone.
- Be sure your tires are properly inflated with plenty of tread. If your treads are worn, that means they have almost no grip.
- Switch to winter tires before the snow falls.
- Consider topping up your vehicle with winterized fluids and make sure you have extra windshield washer fluid.
- Check your wiper blades to ensure they are in good condition.
- Keep a shovel and/or a bag of salt or sand in your vehicle in case you get stuck.
- If snow has fallen, make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of ice and snow before starting your vehicle.
Driving safely for the road conditions
- Stay up-to-date with the weather conditions.
- Before you hit the road, clear all snow from the roof, hood, license plate, windows, mirrors, lights, turn signals and cameras of your vehicle, and scrape/defrost your windshield.
- Never drive distracted. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Watch for other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
- Adjust your speed to the conditions. Leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you so that you can safely slow down and/or stop when necessary. Remember not to accelerate or brake too quickly when the roads are slippery.
- Four-wheel drive helps by giving your vehicle better traction, but doesn’t help you stop or steer on ice. Give yourself extra room to brake and slow down.
Snow clearing
- Snow clearing is a big job, and conditions can change quickly. A cleared street can refreeze, snow can keep falling and crews often make several passes to get the job done.
- Crews work as fast as they can in difficult conditions and plan their routes according to the priority levels and timelines approved by Regional Council.
- Before contacting 311 to report snow or ice clearing issues, please check the timelines for streets, protected bike lanes and sidewalks to confirm when clearing should be completed.
- Visit the plowing priorities and parking ban interactive maps page for more information.
Parking
- Think before you park on the street. When and where you park in the winter can have a big impact on clearing streets and sidewalks, which, in turn, can affect road safety.
- When vehicles are parked along the curb, crews have to weave around them slowing down the work and leaving behind piles of snow, making roads narrower and harder for everyone to travel.
- In Nova Scotia, vehicles can be towed at any time, day or night on any day of the year if they are interfering with snow clearing operations, as per Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.
- In addition, the municipal overnight winter parking ban is in effect every year from December 15 to March 31. It will be enforced only during declared weather events and ongoing clearing operations. When enforced, the parking ban is in effect from 1 a.m. until 6 a.m. throughout the Regional Centre of the municipality. Visit the overnight winter parking pan page for more information.
Winter cycling
- When cycling in slippery conditions brake earlier, take turns more gently and stay alert.
- Give yourself extra time in the winter as it can take longer to cycle through the snow.
- If the weather or road conditions feel unsafe or uncomfortable for cycling, consider taking transit or carpooling.
- To make your ride more comfortable, plan your trip ahead of time based on the weather and road conditions. Check to see the services standards for how and when streets on your route should be plowed. If there are hills on your route, look for a flatter route.
- Visit winter cycling in Halifax for more information including how to ensure your bike is winter-ready and what to wear while cycling in winter.