Let’s face it, Toronto drivers are sadly lacking when it comes to winter weather driving. Snow, even in minor accumulations causes havoc on our highways and byways. And the amount of accidents with just a little snow on the ground is just staggering. During a snowstorm our roads are littered with hundreds, yes hundreds of accidents, and vehicles in snow banks and ditches. There seems to be a brain disconnect somewhere. The entire concept of “slippery roads means slow down” doesn’t seem to register. Very few people seem to have any idea of why 2nd gear is included with all vehicles regardless of whether they have manual or automatic transmissions. And since ABS brakes became standard equipment, drivers live with the mistaken impression that they can stop their vehicles on all road surfaces, including ice and snow.

It appears that there may soon be a penalty imposed for stupidity. There is a proposed change to the Highway Traffic Act to deal with drivers who won’t drive correctly for the road conditions – meaning YOU MUST SLOW DOWN in rain and snow. Failure to adjust your driving habits for the road conditions could result in being charged. It is assumed that the charge would be in line with an infraction like tailgating or making an illegal lane change. There is already a similar traffic policy in New York State where police can charge motorists who don’t respect the weather conditions where the law specifically deals with unsafe speed not befitting the road conditions. The Province of Quebec has just passed a law making snow tires mandatory.

Right now there is no accountability for driving inappropriately in bad weather except for an increase in your insurance rates. Do you think that charging drivers will result in drivers slowing down in bad weather?