Drivers not ready for winter, poll finds

Canadian drivers are not prepared for winter driving, results of a new winter driving poll done by TD Insurance has found.
The poll determined that many drivers are not taking the precautions they should to stay safe and keep calm on winter roads, and about 25 per cent of them admit they feel scared, anxious or uneasy when driving in winter.
According to the poll, 60 per cent of drivers don’t carry an emergency kit in their car; 38 per cent don’t get their car serviced before the season begins; and 36 per cent don’t use snow tires in winter, despite the fact that 71 per cent say they would feel safer driving if others had winter tires on their cars.
“Winter driving can be stressful for even the most experienced driver, but if you are prepared with the right tools and knowledge, you will feel more confident and better equipped to drive in winter weather,” TD Insurance vice-president Dave Minor said in a news release.
TD Insurance commissioned Environics Research Group to conduct the online survey of 1,005 Canadian residents, aged 18 and older, who have driven on Canadian roads in the past 12 months.
Responses were collected Nov. 7-14.

(Note: This story originally appeared in the Monday, Dec. 24 print edition of The Chronicle-Journal)