Winter Driving Information

Drivers are urged to use extra caution during the winter season.
Consult these regional sources of information before setting out onto the road.

Know Before You Go

Provincial highway conditions

Conditions for highways #21, #8 and #4 are provided by the Ministry of Transportation through the Ontario 511 program.

Web: www.ontario.ca/511
Twitter: @511Ontario
Phone: dial 5 1 1

Road closures and re-openings

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are solely responsible for deciding when to close or re-open a road under the Highway Traffic Act. The information for southwestern Ontario is available by through the OPP’s X (formerly Twitter) accounts.

X: @OPP_WR

X: @OPP_COMM_WR

Significant Weather Events

When the County is experiencing weather that may affect our ability to maintain the County Roads at the service levels that road users would normally expect, we will declare a Significant Weather Event.

Learn more about Significant Weather Events.

School bus cancellations and delays

In our region, this information is provided by Huron Perth Student Transportation Services.

Web: ourschoolbuses.ca

Local radio stations

Our local radio media provide regular reports to the public using all of the above mentioned information sources.

AM 920 – CKNX
FM 101.7 – The One
Cool 94.5
Country 104.9: Goderich
Shoreline Classics FM
90.5 MyFM: Exeter

Snow plow safety

Stay safe this winter and follow these safety tips when approaching winter maintenance vehicles, such as snow plows and salt trucks.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

image of a working snow plow
  • Do not drive on closed roads. Respect travel advisories and do not travel on closed roads for your safety and the safety of others. Vehicles parked or abandoned on roadways can be towed and fined.
  • Stay back from winter maintenance vehicles. Always maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the snowplow. Snowplow equipment travels at 25km/hr to 60km/hr working to keep roads safe.
  • Slow down on the roads. Snowplows travel at reduced speeds to clear roads effectively. Adjust your speed to keep a safe following distance. When there’s ice and snow, take it slow!
  • Be careful around snowbanks. Reduced sightlines due to large piles of snow heaped on corners are common after back-to-back snowstorms. Drivers are urged to be extremely cautious when pulling out of driveways, approaching intersections or moving around snowbanks because they may not be able to see pedestrians on sidewalks or other vehicles travelling on the road.
  • Have a snow ready vehicle. Prepare for quickly changing conditions by having working winter tires, windshield wipers, and washer fluid. Stock your vehicle Emergency kit with a shovel, blanket, booster cables, flashlight, and more. Make sure you clean snow off your vehicle and have operating tail lights. 
  • Practice patience. Avoid passing or crowding snowplows as it can be extremely dangerous. Check road conditions and give yourself extra travel time.

Resources

Cover Page of Severe Winter Weather Guide

Severe Winter Weather Guide

When stormy winter weather approaches, stay prepared!  Download the Severe Winter Weather Guide to learn more about how to be prepared for winter conditions:

  • Safety Tips
  • Weather Information
  • Winter Driving Resources