Road conditions are usually more dangerous in winter. That’s why drivers must follow special rules or risk hefty fines.
Remove snow from your whole car.
Before taking to the road, you must clear the snow from your car. All windows must allow good visibility, or you risk a fine of up to $200. The police can even make you remove the snow from the windows.
You must also clear any snow or ice that can fall off your car and endanger other road users. If your car looks like a moving igloo, you can be fined up to $100.
Don’t forget to always keep your licence plate clean. If not, you might end up with a fine as high as $60.
Adjust your safety distance.
When driving behind a vehicle, adapt your safety distance to the road conditions. When winter driving conditions are difficult, leave more distance between your car and the vehicle ahead. If you’re too close to another vehicle, you can be fined as much as $200 and get two demerit points.
No “drifting”
Controlled skidding (also called “drifting”) can put other people in danger or cause property damage. That’s why it could be illegal even in an empty parking lot accessible to the public. Dangerous driving is against the law and can lead to a fine of up to $3,000 and four demerit points. In some situations, you could even be charged with a crime.
Remember your winter tires!
Your car must have winter tires until March 15. But use your common sense. Snow doesn’t necessarily stop falling on March 15, and road conditions can remain dangerous for some time. Remember the big snowstorm that hit southern Quebec in 2017 and claimed several victims? It was on March 15!
And next year, you’ll need winter tires starting December 1 instead of the 15th. If not, you could be fined up to $300.