Tips on how to drive safely in current conditions following recent heavy snowfall

CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti speaks with a driving instructor on how to safely navigate the roads after the city was hit with two major snowfalls.

After a couple of days of heavy snowfall in the region over the last week, CTV News Edmonton spoke with a driving instructor about how to safely navigate the snowy streets.

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Raj Bajwa, senior instructor and owner of A & J Driving School, said it’s important to take it slow and maintain distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

“The slower, more gradual you go, the easier it will be,” said Bajwa.

The instructor of 23 years adds that you should be prepared to stop at any time and apply the brake gradually to avoid skidding.

With lanes sometimes not being visible, it can be difficult to determine where you should be driving, but it’s often safer to follow the divots made by cars on the road than follow the dotted lines.

“You do want to follow the path because you don’t know how much snow there will be, so it’s better to use the (person) in front of you as a guide,” said Bajwa.

He also recommends having winter tires, which will help with big snow dumps and ice, and to avoid using cruise control on the highways.

The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) suggests looking 12 to 15 seconds ahead of you, or just over one city block. While on the highway, you should be looking 20 to 30 seconds ahead.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Miriam Valdes-Carletti