-- TD Insurance Winter Driving Poll reveals one quarter of B.C. drivers hesitant to drive in the winter; preparation is essential --

VANCOUVER, Nov. 28, 2011 /CNW/ - When the snow hits British Columbia, it seems residents are much more likely to hit the slopes than drive in it.  According to the TD Insurance Winter Driving Poll, 45% of British Columbians only drive when they need to (compared to the national average of 36%), and one quarter (25%) admit they feel anxious, scared or even panicked when they're driving in the winter.

"Winter driving can be stressful for even the most experienced driver," says Henry Blumenthal, Vice President and Chief Underwriter, TD Insurance.  "Snow on the roads means an increase in auto insurance claims, so it's important drivers educate themselves on how to stay safe on the roads this winter and make sure they have adequate insurance in the event that something unexpected happens."

Winter driving: tricks of the trade

Although most British Columbians don't enjoy driving during winter weather, they are among the most knowledgeable on how to stay safe on the roads when the thermostat drops.  The majority of B.C. residents know that:

• Keeping your gas tank at least half-full will add weight and traction to your vehicle (71% versus the national average of 61%)
• If your vehicle skids out of control on a slippery surface, you should steer in the same direction of the skid (60% versus the national average of 51%)
• Using cruise control in winter can be dangerous (84% versus the national average of 67%)
• If your vehicle gets stranded you should run the motor for shorter periods of time instead of leaving it running (83% versus the national average of 80%)

Male versus female

Nationally, attitudes toward winter driving differ between genders.  The poll revealed Canadian women are more likely than Canadian men to avoid driving in the winter (44% versus 29% of men) and to admit they feel anxious (26% versus 10% of men) when driving during snowy months.

"Drivers who are prepared for the elements will feel more confident and better equipped to drive in all types of winter weather," says Blumenthal.  "Completing a winter driving course is not only a great way to keep safe in winter conditions, but it can also save you money on your insurance premiums."

Blumenthal provides his advice for how British Columbians can avoid unwanted insurance claims in winter:

WINTER DRIVING CHECK LIST:

1. Be prepared

Check weather and road conditions.  If necessary try to delay your departure, or head for well-travelled roads. Have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including a snow shovel and brush, booster cables, candle and matches, blanket and cat litter (for traction).  Check out RoadSafetyFirst.com, an online resource dedicated to safe driving, which 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.

2. Drive slowly and leave room

Travel at a safe pace to avoid losing control, and remember it takes longer to stop in winter weather conditions, so leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you.  Canadians say their two biggest winter driving pet peeves are drivers who follow too closely behind them (37%) and people who drive too fast (29%).

3. Check your vehicle

Properly inflated, high quality winter tires will give you better traction on winter roads (and can even increase fuel efficiency!), so check tire pressure often.  It's also important to clear ice and snow from your vehicle to increase visibility.  Chunks of ice or snow blowing off a vehicle in motion can be hazardous to other drivers.

4. Speak to your insurer

Call your insurer and review your auto insurance policy so there are no surprises if you have to make a claim.

About the TD Insurance Winter Driving Poll

From October 28th to November 1st, 2011 an online survey was conducted among 2,008 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists; 256 B.C. residents were surveyed. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.07%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About TD Insurance

TD Bank Group's insurance companies and operations carry on business under the TD Insurance brand. TD Insurance offers a wide range of products to 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 brands include TD Insurance Credit Protection and TD Insurance Life and Health, which are 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, TD Insurance is the largest direct-response insurance group in the country. For more information, visit www.tdinsurance.com.