December 1 - 7 is National Safe Driving Week

It is National Safe Driving Week and the Canada Safety Council has issued some suggestions on how you can get your car ready for the rest of winter.

Consider buying snow tires and if you already have them, be sure you put them on as soon as possible as study's show they can help reduce braking distances by as much as 25 per-cent in slippery or icy conditions.

A 2016 study done for the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada showed 61 per-cent of Canadian drivers are using winter tires, an increase from the same study done in 2014.

You should be prepared to adjust your driving habits according to the weather by leaving extra stopping room, reducing your speeds in general, and steering more gently when taking corners.

Winter also brings snow banks which may reduce visibility when leaving driveways or turning lanes.

Let snowplows do their job and yield the right-of-way to them, always.

And lastly, don't forget to dig out the ice scraper and snow brush and to pack an emergency kit in your car.

This should contain a charged phone, water and non-perishable food, a flashlight, a blanket, warm clothes, jumper cables, a shovel, traction mats or sand, candles and a book of matches or a lighter.

You should also think about getting an oil change or tune up to make sure your car is in tip top shape before hitting the road.