It’s wintertime in Canada.

If it wasn’t the snow that gave it away, it was the mad rush to put winter tires on everyone’s car. I’ll be the first to admit I dropped the ball on getting them on early and have been having a lot of fun sliding around the streets until I can get them there.

My wife is very impressed.

The one interesting thing I find about winter driving in Canada is the two types of drivers that emerge:

The first type of driver is extra cautious because they are aware that the road conditions are much worse. That’s not to say they will never lose control, but they will be less frantic when it happens. Or so you hope.

The second type of driver is the one who doesn’t care that there is ice and snow on the ground and has a sense of overconfidence about their ability to drive. Usually, their confidence is unfounded.

The best way to drive on these icy conditions is to be aware of how to take control of your car in the event that something happens. It’s also necessary that you give yourself extra space to stop and you stay hyper-aware of all the other drivers around you.

Funny… the same things we need to be aware of in winter driving are the ones that would make us better drivers anyway if there wasn’t snow on the ground.

Sometimes, it takes bad road conditions to remind people the proper way to drive is to be cautious, aware and prepared.

If only we can do this year-round…

…not the snow, just the driving.