Sharing the road and winter driving in Yukon

By the end of this topic you can

• You can pass cyclists with enough room.
• You can drive safely around large trucks and buses.
• You can cross railway tracks safely.
• You can reduce your risk of hitting wildlife.
• You can prepare for and handle ice and snow.

What you need to know and understand

• Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, and expect children near school and playground zones.
• Give cyclists at least one metre when passing; you may cross a single solid yellow line to pass a cyclist if it is safe.
• Large trucks can slow down without brake lights showing and need much more room to stop.
• Trains always have the right-of-way; most need about two kilometres to stop.
• Animals on the road are a major hazard in Yukon, especially at dusk and dawn.
• Temperatures near freezing can be more dangerous than deep cold, because ice forms unexpectedly.

People and bikes

Scan crosswalks before you turn, and shoulder check right for cyclists and pedestrians heading straight through as you turn right. When passing a cyclist on a narrow road, wait for a clear straight stretch and give at least one metre. Do not honk at cyclists unless it is needed to prevent a collision. Pass horses and riders slowly and widely, without sounding the horn.

Trucks, RVs and trains

Leave at least four seconds behind large vehicles that block your view. Wind turbulence can push or pull your car when you pass or meet a truck, so keep a firm grip. Signal well ahead so heavy vehicles have time to slow. Oversize loads may travel with pilot cars.

At railway crossings, stop between five and 15 metres from the nearest rail when a train is coming. Never stop on the tracks; watch for a second train. If you stall on the tracks, get everyone out, move at least 30 metres away and phone for help.

Wildlife: see, think, do

1. Scan the ditches and road edges, especially where animal signs are posted and at dusk and dawn.
2. Watch for eyes reflecting your headlights; where there is one animal, there may be more.
3. If an animal is on the road, slow down, check your mirror and try flashing your headlights.
4. Stop if you can while keeping control; if a large animal cannot be avoided, prepare for the impact.
5. Leave a wide margin when driving around an animal, since it may bolt in any direction.

Winter ready

Our guide to the Alaska Highway and winter roads on this site covers long-distance trips in more detail.

• Install winter tires and winter wiper blades, and carry chains, sand and an emergency kit on long trips.
• Clear all snow and frost from windows, mirrors and lights before you leave.
• Watch for black ice on shaded stretches, bridges and intersections.
• Slow down before curves and hills, accelerate gently and skip cruise control.
• If stranded, stay with your vehicle unless you are sure you can reach help, and run the engine sparingly to avoid carbon monoxide.

Common mistakes

• Swerving hard to miss an animal and losing control or hitting oncoming traffic.
• Following a truck so closely that you cannot see the road ahead.
• Trusting that a road is dry because it looks grey; shiny black asphalt may be ice.
• Trying to beat a train to a crossing.

Test yourself: Sharing the road and winter driving in Yukon

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

Go deeper

• Driving the Alaska Highway and Yukon Winter Roads as a New Driver
• Yukon Road Test
• How to Get a Driver’s Licence in Yukon