Proactive winter driving advice for commercial fleets

In Canada, the five months spanning November through March represent the peak of operational risk for commercial fleets. Our data indicates that 42% of all insurance claims occur during this wintry time of year. In 2025, these months saw 3,001 total commercial auto claims—86% were from collisions with another vehicle or loss of control on the road.¹

The Aviva Risk Management Solutions (ARMS) team views these figures as a catalyst for preventative action rather than an inevitability. For professionals operating everything from a four-door sedan to a delivery van to a 50-foot tractor-trailer, a high-level command of vehicle physics and provincial regulations is essential to driving safely in winter.

Here’s some essential advice to ensure you’re driving as safely in winter as possible.

Mechanical readiness and the pre-trip checklist

A standard pre-trip vehicle inspection is insufficient once the temperature drops. It’s critical to include extra measures to avoid a winter calamity:

• Tire pressure integrity: Air pressure drops significantly in the cold. Regular checks are essential to maintain the correct contact patch between the rubber and the road.
• Fluid management: Keep your gas tank full to prevent moisture from freezing within the fuel lines. For those operating diesel engines, always use winter-grade fuel or anti-gel additives.
• Structural and systems check: Beyond the engine, inspect the trusses and rafters on trailers for integrity. Confirm that heating and defrosting systems are fully operational before departure to ensure cabin safety and window clarity.
• The “igloo” protocol: Never start a route with snow on your vehicle. Clear the roof, hood, mirrors, and all lights. Snow blowing off a large trailer creates a localized mini-whiteout for drivers behind you, significantly increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.

Managing the physics of the road

For professional drivers, understanding how different drivetrains react to snow and ice is critical for maintaining control.

Professional tip: If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), keep it active for general driving. However, if you become stuck in deep snow, consider turning it off briefly to allow the tires to dig in and find traction.

The mathematics of distance

In ideal conditions, the standard rule for heavy vehicles is one second of following distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length in 65 km/h zones. For a 40-foot truck, this is a 4-second gap. On highways where the speed limit is above 65 km/h, it’s recommended to add one second.

In winter, it’s important to add at least an additional 1 to 2 seconds to following distance in poor weather. Some experts recommend increasing the gap to 8 to 10 seconds to account for braking distances on icy roads.

Visibility and defensive driving protocols

Visibility is your first line of defense, but common habits can sometimes create more danger during a whiteout.

• Rethink hazard lights: The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) advises drivers not to use four-way flashers continuously while the vehicle is in motion. This can confuse other motorists who may think you are stopped, and it often disables your turn signals. Use hazard lights only momentarily to warn of a sudden slowdown, or continuously if your vehicle is a genuine hazard—stopped or disabled on the shoulder.

• Lighting standards: Use low beams in fog or heavy snow to reduce glare. Ensure your full lighting system is active. Daytime running lights often fail to illuminate your rear lights, leaving you invisible from behind.
  
  
• The football field rule: At 90 km/h, taking your eyes off the road for just 4 to 6 seconds means you have spanned 360 feet—the length of a football field—without seeing your environment. Stay focused on the road, particularly in poor weather.
  
  
• Legal awareness: Be mindful of winter rules of the road. In most provinces, you can be fined and even lose demerit points if you don’t reduce your speed during low visibility. For example:
  • In Quebec, the Highway Safety Code explicitly requires drivers to reduce their speed when visibility is limited by darkness, fog, rain, or precipitation, or when roads are slippery
  • Under the Motor Vehicle Act in British Columbia, driving too fast for conditions—even if at or below the posted limit—can lead to fines ($167+) and demerit points. The RCMP specifies that the posted limit is only for ideal conditions.
  • The Highway Traffic Act of Ontario classifies operating a vehicle without “reasonable consideration for other persons” as an offence (careless driving). You can be ticketed for going the speed limit in conditions that require slower, more cautious driving.
  • In Saskatchewan, drivers can be fined $205 for driving too fast for road conditions, including poor visibility.

Expert support for your fleet

The ARMS specialists at Aviva understand the unique risks faced by commercial fleets. Whether you need to review your coverage for winter hazards or are interested in fleet safety training, we are here to help. Please reach out to us at arms.canada@aviva.com for more information.