- TD Insurance Winter Driving Poll reveals how Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents handle winter driving conditions -

TORONTO, Nov. 25 /CNW/ - When it comes to winter driving, 63% of drivers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan say they are anxious, according to the TD Insurance Winter Driving Poll, making them the most tense drivers in the country (nationally, 52% of Canadians say they are anxious about winter driving). Despite their nervousness, 81% of Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents say they consider themselves to be good winter drivers.

"Being prepared for winter weather should be like putting on your seat belt - it's automatic the moment you get in the car," says Henry Blumenthal, Vice President and Chief Underwriter, TD Insurance. "A great way to improve your confidence driving in winter conditions is with a winter driving course. You'll feel better about your skills on the road and you can save a few dollars on your auto insurance premiums."

Take care

Residents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the most likely to drive slower in poor conditions (99% vs. 92% nationally), give themselves extra time to get to their destination (96% vs. 85% nationally) and check road conditions (90% vs. 81% nationally). Interestingly, this is the only area in Canada where more men say that they leave extra time to get to their destination (99% men vs. 92% women). Also, despite being the most nervous on winter roads, only 32% of residents in these provinces use snow tires (vs. 59% nationally).

Backseat drivers?

Overall, nearly a third (31%) of Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents prefer to be passengers (vs. 27% nationally) in winter driving conditions. Less than a third (29%) of women in the two provinces choose to drive when conditions deteriorate (vs. 45% nationally).

Don't drive so close to me

When asked about their top winter driving pet peeves, Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents say they are most annoyed by those who drive too close (37%). Other top annoyances are drivers who are too fast (23%) and drivers who don't brush the snow off of their cars (23%). Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the only two provinces to have more male drivers than women annoyed by drivers who are too fast (35% vs. 11%) and are the least likely provinces to mind if drivers go slowly (1% vs. 4% nationally).

A few words from the wise

RoadSafetyFirst.com - an online resource from TD Insurance dedicated to road safety - offers articles on a variety of topics related to road safety, an RSS feed with the latest news, road conditions and weather, and tips for safe driving, including:

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    1.  Leave some room. It takes a greater distance to stop on ice and snow.
        Maintain a safe distance with the car in front - even when at a stop
        sign or light.
    2.  Slow down. Quick lane changes or braking can lead to skidding and
        possibly losing control of the vehicle.
    3.  Be prepared before heading out. Put together a winter driving kit to
        help handle on-the-road emergencies. Kits could include a snow shovel
        and brush, booster cables, a candle, a blanket and kitty litter.
    4.  Keep it clear. Clear all the ice and snow off your vehicle and check
        that headlights, turn signals and tail lights are also clear before
        getting on the road. Frosty windows may reduce visibility and chunks
        of ice or snow blowing off a car in motion can be hazardous to other
        drivers.
    5.  Speak to your insurer. While preparing for the season, it's a good
        time to call your insurer and review your auto insurance policy.
    >>

For more information on auto insurance or for a free quote, visit www.tdinsurance.com or call 1-800-338-0218.

About the TD Insurance Winter Driving Poll

From November 10 to November 11, 2009, Angus Reid Public Opinion conducted the TD Insurance Winter Driving Poll among 1,027 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error-which measures sampling variability-is +/- 3.1%. The results of the online survey have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure samples representative of the entire adult population of Canada.

About TD Insurance

The TD Insurance brand is a part of TD Bank Financial Group. The wide

range of TD Insurance products help protect clients from the 'accidents of life' including credit protection, life, health, travel, home and auto insurance. With more than three million clients, TD Insurance authorized products and services are available through a network of more than 1,000 TD Canada Trust branches, the Internet and telephone. The TD Insurance brand, through its TD Insurance Credit Protection and TD Insurance Life and Health brands, is the number one provider of critical illness insurance and direct life and health premium origination in Canada. And through its TD Insurance Meloche Monnex and TD Insurance Home and Auto brands, is the largest direct-response insurance group in the country. For more information, visit www.tdinsurance.com.