Monday, January 15, 2007

Winter driving tips

It looks like winter has finally arrived in Toronto. Freezing rain and snow greeted us this morning and should be with us for the next few days. Along with the bad weather comes bad traffic. Everyone, rightly so, takes extra precaution and the 30-minute commute becomes an hour or even longer. With snow and ice on the ground, bad/lazy drivers become potentially deadly obstacles you must manoeuver around in order to get home in one piece. Here are some tips that can make driving a lot less stressful during the next few months of winter.

  • Leave home earlier. This way, you don't have to rush to get to work. You know traffic will be bad so get a head start. Weaving in and out of the lanes so you can get to work 3 minutes earlier is just plain idiotic. You also cause stress for the 78 people you will cut-off in the process.


  • Don't be lazy. Scrape off all the snow and ice from your windshields and windows. How the hell do you expect to change lanes or turn when you can't see out of your car? You are the ones who usually end up in front of me while the two-foot snowbank on your hood continually blows off onto my windshield causing my nerves to fray.


  • Eliminate the condensation on your windows. For decades now, all cars come equipped with fans which produce heat and cold. Use the heat to help rid the car of condensation produced from the heat coming off your head while your brain overexerts itself allowing you to breath and blink at the same time. Also, see point above.


  • Slow down Mario Andretti! We're all late for work! (Unless you obeyed point number one.) Unclench yourself, listen to some tunes on the radio, and arrive in one piece. We're going to pass you anyway as you will either slide into a ditch, slam into a guardrail, or spin-out and cause an accident. Now, by slowing down I don't mean going 5 clicks per hour. This just causes you to be gently nudged from behind into said ditch, guardrail or oncoming traffic. How about a nice cruising speed while leaving plently of room between you and the car in front.

That's all I have for now. If any more tips come to mind, I'll be sure to add them. Drive smart!

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