Winter Weather Reminders for Drivers

First Taste of Snow Brings Reminder for Motorists

Winter weather is right around the corner. When the snow arrives, City of Windsor Public Works crews will be ready, and want you to be as well. Drivers are reminded to adjust their speed with changing conditions and be especially careful on bridges or overpasses and the road beneath them. Black ice forms more readily in these areas, as cold air is able to cool both the top and underside of the bridge or overpass, bringing about faster freezing.  The City of Windsor’s Public Works Department has prepared a few reminders to help ensure everyone can enjoy a safe winter season:

Snowplows

Plowing will begin once the snow begins to fall and accumulates to five centimetres. An average route takes from 3 to 6 hours to complete once the snow has stopped falling, depending on the time of day and traffic conditions. Once the main roads are clear and only if more than 10 centimetres of snow has fallen, the trucks will be redeployed onto residential streets. 

Motorists are asked to be patient when travelling behind a plow and give operators plenty of room. Plows typically operate at 40 kilometres per hour. Following too close to a snowplow can lead to poor visibility, and vehicles risk being hit by thrown snow or debris.

Snow on Sidewalks

Residents are reminded that clearing of sidewalks abutting their property is their responsibility. Please be sure to remove snow completely from your sidewalk to ensure that people with mobility issues and/or assistive devices are able to pass through freely. Under the Highway Traffic Act and City of Windsor by-laws, residents are prohibited from shovelling snow back onto the street while clearing sidewalks and driveways, as this creates unsafe road conditions for motorists. Once snowfall ends, commercial sidewalks must be cleared within 4 hours and residential sidewalks must be cleared within 12 hours.

Volunteers Wanted:

A reminder that the City’s Snow Angels volunteer snow removal program is still looking for volunteers. Sign up today to help your community and be entered for a chance to win some great prizes! 

For More Information

In all conditions, Public Works reminds drivers to use TLC:

• T: time – allow enough time to arrive safely at your destination; 
• L: length – make sure you leave enough space between you and the vehicles around you; and 
• C: caution – always drive with care, especially in hazardous conditions. 

To learn more about our winter weather operations, visit our Snow Removal page or contact 311.