Photo Courtesy EGP Staff

By Tanner Smith

Alberta & Grande Prairie RCMP

RCMP encouraging residents to prioritize winter safety

Dec 18, 2024 | 10:15 AM

Alberta RCMP is encouraging safety while enjoying the winter season.

According to Mounties, “winter in Alberta offers the opportunity for many different recreational activities, however, whether you’re driving your ATV, skiing in the mountains, skating with friends, or ice fishing; the weather can cause unsafe conditions.”

A list of recreational safety tips was shared by RCMP to help residents “prioritize safety” this winter:

• Use proper safety equipment: When you’re out skiing, skating, or riding your ATV always make sure to wear the proper safety equipment. Windshields, handguards, helmets and reflective material can all help keep you safe when enjoying winter activities.
• Always check ice thickness: Use a tape measure, drill, or auger to make sure the ice is thick enough and check in multiple locations. As a general rule, ice should be at least 20 cm (8 in) thick for walking or 25 cm (10 in) for snowmobiles.
• Be mindful of how the cold can affect your gear: Tire pressure, engines, and batteries can all be impacted by extreme cold. Always make sure that your vehicles are functioning and electronics are charged before heading out into the cold.
• Have a plan and share it: Always make sure to check conditions and the weather before you head out. Make a plan and let your loved ones know where you’re going, when you’ll be out, and what time to expect you home.
• Have an emergency kit and know how to use it: Emergency kits should include first aid supplies, tools, and extra clothes/blankets. Depending on what you’re doing you may also want to include additional items like tow straps and extra fuel.
• Follow the rules: Closed trails, speed limits, and ice warning signs are not suggestions, they are there to keep people safe. Always make sure that you are checking for signage and following the rules.

Additionally, Grande Prairie RCMP is also promoting “headlight etiquette,” as poor winter conditions causing visibility issues can be made worse due to an oncoming driver’s high beams.

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Grande Prairie RCMP provided “headlight etiquette” guidelines for drivers to reference:

• High beams are effective for illuminating dark, rural roads where there is little to no ambient lighting. However, they can create a dangerous glare for oncoming drivers, especially in snowy or foggy conditions. Drivers should dim their high beams at least 300 meters away from an approaching vehicle and when following another vehicle closely, and 150 meters away when approaching a vehicle travelling in the same direction.
• In snowy or foggy weather, high beams can reflect off the particles in the air, actually decreasing visibility, so it’s best to rely on low beams in these conditions.
• Many vehicles are equipped with fog lights, which are designed to provide wider, lower-light beams that don’t reflect back as much in fog or heavy snow. If visibility is severely reduced, fog lights in addition to low beams are often the safest choice.
• Low beams should also be used in urban areas, during heavy snowfall, or whenever glare from high beams could affect other drivers.
• In situations where visibility is near-zero, such as intense blowing snow or whiteouts, turning on hazard lights along with low beams can alert other drivers to your presence. Be cautious when using hazard lights, as they can also signal an unexpected stop or slow movement.
• Avoid using hazard lights if road visibility is manageable, as they can confuse other drivers.
• Many vehicles are equipped with automatic daytime running lights, which illuminate the front but not the rear of the vehicle. In low-visibility conditions, ensure that your full headlights and taillights are on so that your vehicle is visible from all angles.

Local Mounties ask residents to familiarize themselves with their vehicle’s lights before hitting the road this winter.

Anyone wanting more information or safety tips on winter safety can visit Alberta RCMP on social media.