Sask. Safety Council, SGI, host winter driving course
Sask. Safety Council, SGI, host winter driving course
The Saskatchewan Safety Council teamed up with SGI to host safe winter driving courses in Regina.
The “Skid Smart” course focuses on stopping distances on the ice, avoiding collisions and controlling a skid.
“(Winter) happens every year so being able to drive in the winter time, which could be three, four, or five months in saskatchewan, is a very important skill to have for all drivers,” Al Gall, traffic safety specialist, said.
Driving instructors coach participants on how to navigate icy and snowy road conditions while the students drive through a course.
The course is covered in ice, but surrounded by snow banks and open space, creating a safe and controlled environment.
Gall said the participants will try a stopping and steering exercise once at a slow speed so they can see how the car skids or slides, then again at a higher speed to compare the difference.
“An extra five km/h, their vehicles are sliding an extra 50 to 75 feet sometimes,” Gall added.
According to the Saskatchewan Safety Council, the most common mistake people make, and the first in the winter is slamming on their breaks while steering to avoid a collision.
“If something comes out at you from a side street or somebody steps out from between parked cars, you (should) steer the vehicle, get it in a straight line and then start applying the breaks,” Gall said. “If you apply the breaks while it’s in a turn, that’s when most people lose the back end of the vehicle and it will start to spin and slide out of control.”
Participats who are new to winter driving conditions told CTV News they were nervous to hit the road before starting this course.
“In Vietnam there is no winter so it was easy for me to drive, but when I (came) to Canada with winter, it’s very difficult for me to drive on the road,” Vin Mii, participant, said.
Benson Akinbami, who moved to Regina from the United Kingdom in August, said he didn’t know how to drive in the snow because they don’t get as much.
Both agreed that after a few runs on the course and instructions from the coaches, they felt more comfortable navigating winter.
“I feel a little bit more confident driving in winter conditions and I can’t over emphasize the fact that everybody needs a little bit of this get better on the road,” Akinbami said.
The “Skid Smart” course runs through January and February, and is open to anyone with a valid drivers license.
Registration information can be found on the Saskatchewan Safety Council’s website. (https://www.sasksafety.org/)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia strikes Kyiv as Western leaders meet in Europe
Russia attacked the Ukrainian capital early Sunday, striking at least two residential buildings, the mayor of Kyiv said, as elsewhere Russian troops fought to consolidate their gains in the country's east.

Climate goals may be at odds with G7 response to fallout from Russian invasion
G7 leaders opened their summit Sunday with a discussion about shaping the global economy at a time when conflict and unrest are driving up prices and access to key goods around the world.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'turning point' in world history: defence chief
Canada's chief of defence says Russia's invasion of Ukraine is going to change the course of history.
Live updates: G7 nations seek to counter Chinese influence
The latest on the G7 summit: The Group of Seven leading democratic economies has formally launched at its annual summit a global infastructure and investment partnership aimed at pushing back China's influence in the developing world.
U.S. Ambassador Cohen on inflation, the convoy protests, abortion rights and gun control
David Cohen has been the United States' Ambassador to Canada since November 2021, and in the time since, both Canada and the United States have experienced a series of shared challenges. In an interview at his official residence in Ottawa, Cohen opens up about the state of the relationship.
Norway mourns victims of Oslo shooting with memorial service
Norway's prime minister and members of the royal family joined mourners at a memorial service Sunday at Oslo Cathedral for the victims of a shooting attack as the capital held its annual LGBTQ Pride festival.
As Senate-confirmed justices end Roe, how will voters react?
Republicans are heading into a November midterm election that is poised to swiftly become a referendum on the court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, as voters decide which party should control Congress
People with COVID-19 can infect and sicken cats and dogs by cuddling them: study
Cat and dog owners who cuddle their pets when infected with COVID-19 could end up making the animals sick with the virus, according to a Canadian study.
Rate of extreme rainfall expected to increase dramatically by 2100
New research looking at the frequency of heavy rainfall across the globe shows that a drastic increase in downpours is expected over the years to come.