Winter weather can be treacherous, and it can lead to unsafe road conditions making it necessary to take extra precautions during the season. Here are five ways drivers can stay safe, help make the roads better, as well as save on Cambridge car insurance:
1. Consider getting roadside assistance
The road conditions in Cambridge can be unpredictable, especially in inclement weather. However, roadside assistance helps drivers to get out of a bind when they need it the most. Whether it’s due to a battery that won’t start or a weather-related collision, having roadside assistance will ensure you’re back on the road sooner. It also has an added insurance benefit too: the possibility of lower Cambridge auto insurance premiums. With roadside assistance, you could qualify for an insurance discount that could be as high as 15 per cent.
2. Know the road conditions
Ensuring safety when driving in Cambridge calls for understanding the road conditions. Black ice and slippery surfaces can make it difficult to keep control of your vehicle. Check your local weather stations and sign up for snow event alerts from the city to know the weather and road conditions before travelling.
Driving safety in Cambridge is crucial to reducing potential accidents so it's critical for drivers to practice safe driving while on the road: Remember to reduce your speed, brake slowly, gently accelerate and keep enough distance between you and the vehicle in front.
3. Help the City of Cambridge clear the streets
When there’s a snow event declared by the city (usually a snowfall of 10 cm or more), do not park on the street—any time of the day or night—to aid in snow removal. Failing to do so could result in an $80 parking ticket. You also run the risk of being towed.
Even when a snow event hasn’t been declared, on-street parking in the city is not permitted overnight during the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. from January 1 to March 15.
4. Give snow plows the space they need
During and after a snowfall, you’ll likely come across snow plows clearing the streets. Be patient if you’re behind a snow plow and keep a safe distance. Also, resist the urge to pass because it can be extremely dangerous. Snow plows are wider than a typical vehicle and its blades extend ahead and to the side of the vehicle, making passing one unsafe.
5. Get winter tires
Road salt is less effective when the temperature drops and can make it easy for standard tires to lose their grip. As a result, winter tires are often a better option. Studies show that these special tires improve braking distance by as much as 25 per cent, which can make a difference in preventing an accident. The great news is that most vehicle owners in Cambridge, Ontario, have winter tires (about 84 per cent according to InsuranceHotline.com data). These drivers are also likely saving on their Cambridge auto insurance as all insurers in the province offer a winter tire discount which could help lower premiums by up to five per cent.
Get the cheapest auto insurance by shopping around
Staying safe during the winter while driving in Cambridge calls for practicing safe driving. Luckily, there are several steps drivers can implement, including using winter tires and getting roadside assistance. It's also critical to have the right vehicle coverage during the wintertime and drivers can get it with Cambridge car insurance. Finding the cheapest auto insurance in Cambridge for the winter is simple to do when drivers use a trusted source, such as InsuranceHotline.com. Get some of the best car insurance quotes Ontario has to offer to save money this winter.
