How to Stay Safe While Driving in Bad Weather in Ontario

Bad weather and driving do not mix well. If you have ever driven through a snowstorm near St. Thomas or hit a patch of freezing rain on your way into London, you know exactly what we mean. Roads can change fast in southwestern Ontario, and what starts as a light drizzle can turn into a full white-out before you even reach the highway.

The truth is, weather-related crashes are a serious problem across Canada. In Ontario alone, nearly 1,500 accidents happened during heavy snowfall in a single year, and hundreds more happened during light snow, sleet, and hail. Weather-related vehicle accidents actually kill more people each year than large-scale weather events like storms and floods. That is not a small thing.

But here is the good news. Most weather-related accidents are preventable. With the right habits and a bit of preparation, you can dramatically lower your risk every single time you get behind the wheel in difficult conditions.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know.

Why Bad Weather Is So Dangerous on Ontario Roads

Southwestern Ontario gets hit with all kinds of weather throughout the year. Rain and fog in the spring and fall. Snow squalls in winter. Freezing rain that turns roads into skating rinks overnight. If you live in or around St. Thomas, you know how quickly things can go from fine to treacherous.

In December 2024, Environment Canada issued a snow squall warning specifically for the St. Thomas, Aylmer, and Eastern Elgin County area. Snowfall accumulations of up to 40 cm were possible, with wind gusts reaching 70 km/h and near-zero visibility in some spots. Roads were expected to close in certain areas.

This is not unusual for the region. The area sits in a part of Ontario that is regularly affected by Lake Huron snow squall bands, rapid temperature swings, and freezing rain events. One day it is 10 degrees and raining. The next morning it is minus nine and everything has frozen over.

When you add that kind of weather to busy roads, fast drivers, and distracted drivers, you get a dangerous combination. In 2024, distracted driving alone caused 82 deaths on Ontario highways, a 43% jump from the year before. That number gets worse when you factor in wet or icy roads.

Slow Down More Than You Think You Need To

The number one rule in bad weather is simple: slow down. But most drivers do not slow down enough.

When roads are wet, your stopping distance increases significantly. On snow or ice, it can take two to three times longer to bring a vehicle to a complete stop compared to a dry road. If you are travelling at highway speed in a snowstorm and something appears in front of you, your reaction time plus your braking distance might not be enough at the speed you are going.

Drop your speed well below the posted limit when conditions are poor. On a normal day, 100 km/h on a highway might feel comfortable. In a snow squall with low visibility, 60 or even 50 km/h may be more appropriate. Follow what conditions allow, not what the sign says.

Keep More Space Between You and the Car Ahead

Following too closely is one of the most common causes of rear-end collisions in bad weather. Give yourself more room than you think you need.

On a dry road, a two-second following distance is a basic guideline. In rain, bump that to four seconds. In snow or ice, you want six seconds or more. A simple way to check this is to pick a fixed point on the road, wait until the car in front of you passes it, and then count how many seconds pass before you reach the same point.

If someone tailgates you in bad weather, do not try to speed up to satisfy them. Slow down gradually and let them pass when it is safe. Do not let another driver’s impatience put you in danger.

Use Your Headlights the Right Way

Visibility is one of the biggest challenges in bad weather. Making yourself visible to other drivers is just as important as being able to see them.

Turn your headlights on any time visibility is reduced. In Ontario, the law requires headlights when you cannot see clearly for 150 metres ahead. But honestly, if it is raining hard or snowing, just turn them on. It takes two seconds and makes a real difference.

Use low beams in fog. High beams in fog create glare and actually reduce how far you can see. In heavy rain or snow, low beams work better too. High beams reflect off precipitation and create that blinding white wall effect that makes it harder to see the road.

Watch Out for Black Ice

Black ice is thin, nearly transparent ice that forms on road surfaces. It is called black ice because it blends in with the pavement and you often cannot see it until you are already sliding on it.

It tends to form in a few specific situations:

• When temperatures drop quickly after a period of rain or melting snow
• On bridges and overpasses, which cool faster than regular road surfaces
• In shaded areas where sunlight cannot warm the pavement
• On roads that have had freezing rain followed by a drop in temperature

The St. Thomas area sees this fairly often in late fall and early spring when daily temperature swings are common. If the morning started warm and now it is cold, be extra careful. Drive slowly, avoid sudden braking or steering, and test your grip on the road gently before you commit to a higher speed.

If you feel your car starting to slide, ease off the gas. Do not brake hard. Steer gently in the direction you want to go. Stay calm and make small corrections rather than overcorrecting.

Avoid Cruise Control in Bad Weather

Cruise control is great for long highway drives on dry, clear days. In bad weather, avoid it completely.

When your car starts to lose traction on a wet or icy road, you need to reduce power immediately. Cruise control makes that slower because it is working to maintain your speed. In the time it takes you to disengage it, you may have already lost control.

Keep your foot near the brake and stay in full control of your speed the whole time when conditions are bad.

Put Your Phone Away and Stay Focused

We already mentioned that distracted driving caused 82 deaths on Ontario highways in 2024. That number is even more devastating when you consider how avoidable it is.

Driving in bad weather requires your full attention. You need to be watching the road ahead, watching for brake lights, watching for patches of ice, watching for pedestrians and cyclists who are harder to see in rain or snow. You cannot do any of that properly while you are looking at your phone.

Put it on silent. Put it in your bag. Use your phone’s do not disturb mode. Whatever it takes to keep it out of your hand.

If you need to make a call or look something up, pull into a parking lot and stop the car first.

Prepare Your Car Before the Season Changes

A lot of bad weather accidents happen because the car was not ready, not just because the driver was not careful. Here are the things to check before driving in tough conditions:

Tires: Worn tires lose grip fast in wet or snowy conditions. If your tire tread is getting low, it is time for new ones. In Ontario, winter tires are highly recommended between November and April. They are made from a softer rubber compound that grips better in cold temperatures than all-season tires do. Check your tire pressure regularly too, because cold weather causes pressure to drop.

Windshield wipers: Old, cracked wipers streak and smear instead of clearing your windshield cleanly. Replace them if they are not doing a good job. Consider winter wiper blades which are designed to handle snow and ice.

Brakes: If your brakes feel soft, pull to one side, or make noise, get them inspected before winter driving season. Good brakes matter especially when you need to stop quickly on a slippery surface.

Defrost system: Make sure your front and rear defrost work properly. A fogged-up or iced-over windshield is a serious hazard.

Fluid levels: Check your washer fluid and make sure it is rated for cold temperatures. Running out of washer fluid in a snowstorm on the highway is a miserable and dangerous situation.

Build an Emergency Kit for Your Car

Even careful drivers can get stuck in bad weather. A little preparation goes a long way.

Keep these things in your car during the winter months:

• A snow brush and ice scraper
• A small shovel
• Jumper cables or a portable battery booster
• A warm blanket or extra clothing
• Sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck
• A flashlight with working batteries
• Snacks and water in case you are stuck for a while
• A fully charged phone power bank

If you travel between cities, like between St. Thomas and London or down to Woodstock or Hamilton, this is especially important. Rural stretches of highway can leave you far from help if something goes wrong.

Know When to Stay Home

Sometimes the right decision is not to drive at all.

If a snow squall warning has been issued, if freezing rain is expected, or if roads have been reported as closed or treacherous, seriously consider whether your trip is necessary. Can it wait? Can you work from home? Can you reschedule?

This is not about being overly cautious. It is about being realistic. No meeting, no errand, and no trip is worth a serious accident. Ontario’s 511 service and Environment Canada’s weather alerts can give you real-time information on road conditions before you leave.

If you find yourself already driving and conditions deteriorate suddenly, do not push through it. Pull into a gas station, a parking lot, or a rest stop and wait it out. Give the road maintenance crews time to do their job.

Learning to Drive in Bad Weather the Right Way

Knowing these tips is one thing. Actually developing the confidence and skill to handle bad weather driving is another. That comes with practice and proper instruction.

At Fanshawe Driving School, we teach students how to handle real driving conditions, not just ideal ones. Our in-car training covers the habits, techniques, and decision-making skills that make a difference when roads get tough.

If you are a new driver getting started, our Economy, Warrior, and Scholar packages include hands-on, one-on-one in-car training with a certified instructor. You will learn in real conditions, in real traffic, with someone beside you guiding you through it.

For experienced drivers who want to sharpen their skills, our Defensive Driving Course (DDC) is a great option. It covers advanced driving strategies including how to respond safely in low-traction situations, bad weather, and unexpected hazards. We also offer a Winter Driving Course specifically built around cold-weather driving skills.

We are proud to serve drivers across southwestern Ontario. Whether you are in St. Thomas, London, Woodstock, Hamilton, Mississauga, or Sarnia, we have courses available for you. Our St. Thomas location in particular sees a lot of students who want to build confidence on roads that regularly deal with snow squalls, freezing rain, and ice from early fall through late spring.

A Quick Reminder Before You Head Out

Before we wrap up, here is a short checklist to run through any time you are heading out in bad weather:

• Slow down and adjust to road conditions, not the speed limit
• Increase your following distance to at least four to six seconds
• Turn your headlights on
• Skip the cruise control
• Put your phone away
• Make sure your tires, wipers, brakes, and defrost are all working properly
• Check 511 Ontario or Environment Canada for road and weather alerts
• Have an emergency kit in your car
• Be willing to pull over or turn around if it gets too bad

Driving in bad weather is never totally risk-free. But with the right mindset, good habits, and proper training, you can keep yourself and everyone else on the road a lot safer.

If you want to learn more about developing real driving skills for any condition, visit Fanshawe Driving School or explore our full list of courses and packages. We are here to help you become a driver who stays safe not just on sunny days, but on every kind of day Ontario throws at you.