CAA survey finds many drivers unprepared for winter
Posted January 16, 2012 7:31 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Canadian Automobile Association survey indicates a majority of Canadians could find themselves in trouble if they got stranded while driving in winter.
Only 36 per cent of those surveyed by the CAA carry a winter driving kit in their vehicle.
That means no flares, warm blankets, or other essentials to help them out in the case of a winter driving mishap.
However, the same poll did show some positive news about Canadians’ winter driving habits.
Eighty per cent say they drive more carefully in winter, leaving more space between themselves and other vehicles, and 63 per cent regularly check their windshield washer fluid.
CAA polled 1,021 Canadians and the survey is considered accurate to within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
“The absence of a winter driving kit tells us people aren’t as prepared as they should be,” said the CAA’s Jeff Walker.
“Winter driving kits help make sure an inconvenience doesn’t turn into a tragedy.”
The Canadian Automobile Association recommends all drivers carry the following items in their winter survival kit:
— Warm winter gloves, toque and boots
— Blanket or extra clothing
— Bag of sand or kitty litter
— Small shovel
— Ice scraper and/or snow brush
— Candy or chocolate bar for energy
— Extra windshield washer fluid
— First aid kit
— Hardcopy local map (not just a GPS unit)
— Flashlight and batteries
— Flares
— Waterproof matches
— Battery jumper cables
— A fully-charged cellphone
