Stay Safe This Winter: Driving and Collision Reporting Tips

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 4, 2024    3:06 p.m.

(Ottawa) —With snow in the forecast, motorists and pedestrians should be prepared to adjust their driving to less ideal road conditions.   

Keep yourself and other commuters safe: 

• Avoid unnecessary travel: If you don’t need to go out, stay home. 
• Plan ahead: Allow yourself extra time to get to your destination 
• Be Visible: Ensure your lights are on and your vehicle is visible to others. 
• Clear Your Vehicle: Remove all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, and lights before driving. 
• Slow Down: Drive below the posted speed limit, as it reflects ideal conditions, not snowy or icy ones. 
• Maintain Distance: Increase the following distance to account for slippery surfaces—double the usual two-second rule. 
• Winter-Ready Vehicle: Ensure your car is well-maintained, including a full fuel tank, full windshield washer fluid and functional wipers. 
• Pack an Emergency Kit: Include items like a flashlight, blankets, snacks, water, jumper cables, and a first-aid kit in your vehicle. 
• Use Winter Tires: Ensure your vehicle is equipped with winter tires, as they provide better traction on snow and ice. 

If you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, it’s important to follow the correct reporting process. For emergencies involving injuries or non-drivable vehicles, call 911. For minor collisions with no injuries and drivable vehicles, you must report the incident at a Collision Reporting Centre (CRC). Ottawa has three CRC locations: 211 Huntmar Road in Kanata, 474 Elgin Street in Ottawa, and 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard in Orleans.  

It is important to remember to exchange information with the other drivers before attending a CRC and that you do not have to attend the same reporting centre. To save time, you can start your collision report online at https://reportacollision.accsupport.com/. 

When visiting a CRC, bring the vehicle involved in the collision, along with your vehicle ownership, proof of insurance, driver’s licence, and any information exchanged with other drivers or witnesses.  

For additional winter driving tips and detailed instructions on collision reporting, visit the Ottawa Police Service website at ottawapolice.ca. Stay safe on the roads this winter! 

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Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

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