Sharing the road and winter driving in Prince Edward Island

By the end of this topic you can

• You can pass cyclists and pedestrians with the space the law requires.
• You can stay out of a truck's No-Zones.
• You can respond to emergency vehicles, farm equipment and animals near the road.
• You can prepare a car for winter and control it on snow and ice.

What you need to know and understand

• Leave at least one metre when passing a cyclist, or as close to that as conditions allow.
• Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk.
• If you cannot see a truck driver's face in their side mirror, the driver cannot see you.
• Studded tires may be used only from October 1 to May 31.
• Stopping on snow and ice can take three to 12 times the distance needed on dry pavement.
• Bridges ice up before the road, and black ice may be invisible.
• With anti-lock brakes (ABS), hold the pedal down firmly; do not pump it.

People on foot and on bikes

Yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks, and take extra care near children and anyone who seems confused. Never pass a car that has stopped for a pedestrian. When passing a cyclist, leave at least one metre, measured from your mirrors to the bike. You may cross a solid centre line to pass a cyclist only when it is safe; otherwise slow down and wait.

Trucks, buses and farm machinery

• Do not linger beside a truck or bus, where you are in its blind spot.
• Do not tailgate. After passing, wait until you can see the whole front of the truck in your mirror before moving back in.
• Never cross behind a reversing truck, and do not squeeze between a truck making a wide right turn and the curb.
• Expect slow, wide tractors on rural roads, especially at planting and harvest. Pass only where you can see far enough to do it safely.
• For a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with lights on, slow to half the posted limit and move over if you can.

Animals on rural roads

Animals can run out of ditches without warning, especially at dusk and at night. Scan the road edges far ahead and watch for movement or eyes reflecting your headlights. Slow down where you see animals and brake firmly in a straight line rather than swerving into oncoming traffic or the ditch.

Winter on the Island

1. Before winter, check tires, brakes, wipers, the defroster and the exhaust system.
2. Carry a winter kit: blanket, warm clothes, shovel, sand, scraper and brush, flashlight, jumper cables, first aid kit and a charged phone.
3. Slow down, leave a much bigger gap and test grip gently when traffic allows.
4. Brake gently; avoid sudden steering; do not spin your wheels when starting.
5. If stranded, stay with your vehicle, run the engine only to keep warm and open a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide build-up.

Common mistakes

• Squeezing past a cyclist on a narrow road instead of waiting for a safe gap.
• Pulling out to pass a tractor because traffic is building up behind you.
• Driving onto a bridge in winter at the same speed as on the road.
• Pumping ABS brakes in a skid. Hold firm pressure and steer.

Test yourself: Sharing the road and winter driving in Prince Edward Island

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• PEI Road Test
• PEI Rules of the Road
• PEI road signs, pavement markings and work zones study guide