Driving in Canada

Canada in Brief - History of Canada - Attractions in Canada

In places like Southern Ontario, any amount of snowfall tends to cause chaos and accidents aplenty. The rule is to drive slowly and carefully with no quick movements; the road may be MUCH more slippery than it appears. Be also aware of ice beneath freshly fallen snow. Many cars in the colder climates tend to have auto-start mechanisms so that the car can be started to warm up before you get in. In major snowfalls, roads are cleared as quickly as possible but do not count on this. Essential roads will be cleared first (like highways and bus routes). Also salt or grit will be used to provide traction.

Canada Road Information
Most Canadian roads are maintained in good condition. There are regular service stations on the main roads, although in the north provinces and the territories, petrol stations can be spaced far apart. The Trans-Canada Highway covers 5000 miles making it the longest highway in the world. It's not unusual to travel for hours and not pass another vehicle in some of the more remote areas.

There are intersections that are "four way yield" meaning that all traffic must yield to traffic approaching from the left. A right turn may be made at an intersection when the light it is red assuming that you have stopped behind the line indicated and it is safe to proceed. However, some intersections may prohibit such manouvers and will be indicated "No Right Turn on Red". Pedestrians have right of way at any intersection. Light-controlled intersections will mostly have pedestrian signals which will allow pedestrians to cross when the traffic signal is green.