With winter roads opening across the territory, the GNWT has issued some driving information and tips for the travelling public. Seasonal ice roads are critical for community re-supply which was slowed last year by low water levels on the Mackenzie River. The government states it is investing in increased maintenance and improvements including widening the Mackenzie Valley Winter Road, adding signage and increasing highway patrols. There will also be a significant increase in large truck traffic moving fuel and cargo to the Sahtu Region, making safe driving practices more important than ever.
The tips include:
Check DriveNWT.ca for road and weather conditions.
Share your travel plan with someone, including estimated arrival time and location
Carry a winter survival kit including extra fuel, spare tire, warm clothes and blankets, water, food, candles and a satellite phone or a LADD 1 radio, if possible. Most of the winter roads do not have cell phone coverage.
Always yield to oncoming traffic and give plenty of space to large trucks.
Stranded motorists should stay with their vehicles.
Run your engine sparingly and keep the exhaust pipe clear.
