Winter Road Safety

The seasons are changing and Grey County Transportation Services are ready to face whatever Mother Nature throws our way.  Our trucks are ready, our domes are full and our operators are ready to go. 

Safety is a responsibility of all road users. Here are some things drivers can do to stay safe on the roads this winter.

Stay Informed

• Watch the forecast. There are several ways to stay informed about current and forecast conditions online, through apps, and over the local radio. 
• Know the conditions. Visit roads.grey.ca for the latest reported Grey County road conditions, explore the interactive map, and view roadside cameras. Boookmark it to your favourites.
• Make a decision. Is is suitable to drive and can you make it safely to your destination? 

Be Prepared

• Prepare your vehicle. Install winter tires on your vehicle ahead of the season. Ensure windshield wipers are working and you have enough low temperature wiper fluid. 
• Be prepared for an emergency. Stock your vehicle Emergency kit with a shovel, blanket, booster cables, flashlight, and anything you know you will need if find yourself stranded.
• See and be seen. Before heading out, remove all snow and ice from the surface of your vehicle and make sure you clean off your headlights and taillights. 

Drive Safely

• Take it slow. Drive according to conditions and allow yourself enough time to safely reach your destination. 
• Be patient. Passing in the winter can be very dangerous and we never recommend passing a snow plow. 
• Give other drivers space. Maintain extra distance from the vehicle in front of you to ensure you have enough time to safely stop. 
• Respect snowplows. Snow plow equipment travels at 25km/hr to 60km/hr working to keep roads safe. Be respectful to operators by being patient and giving them extra space to work.
• Be aware of changing conditions. We see a lot of lake effect snow in Grey County. If conditions change on your drive, so should your driving behaviour.
• Stay off closed roads. Police close roads for safety. If you encounter a barricade, do not drive around it. Find a safe place to pull off the roadway like a parking lot or a driveway. Do not stop on the road.
• Give your full attention. Distracted driving is a serious safety issue that has claimed lives. Every driver has a responsibility to focus on the road, traffic, and driving conditions. Limit distractions in your vehicle and never text and drive. Texting and driving is against the law.
• Protect emergency responders. If you see an emergency vehicle or a tow truck on the side of the road with lights on responding to an emergency, slow down and proceed with caution. When passing the vehicles, provide as much space as possible and only enter the oncoming traffic lane when it is safe to do so.
• Report stranded vehicles. If the worst happens and you find yourself stranded on the road due to dangerous and impassible conditions, it is critical your report your location. In extreme weather, plow operators may not be able to see a stuck or abandoned vehicle on the roadway until it's too late.  Stranded vehicles should be reported to Grey County by phone to 519-376-7337. If you are in danger and need help, call 9-1-1.