Enjoy going for walks as the weather warms, but to stay safe, make sure you’ve been seen as you enter an intersection. | PHOTO: ENVATO/BIALASIEWICZ
Road Safety in the Spring
Get out and enjoy warming spring weather — just be prepared for changing road conditions.
By Graham Heeps
It’s great to get back to outdoor adventures in the warmer weather. But it’s also important to be cautious — spring conditions can create safety issues for all road users. Whether you’re a driver, cyclist or pedestrian, check out these expert tips from CAA Niagara to ensure your spring travels are safe, hassle-free and fun. Drivers Now that you’re getting ready to hit the springtime streets, check that your vehicle’s wiper blades, washer fluid and engine oil are ready for the new season. Before you switch out your winter tires, make sure your all-season or summer tires are in good condition — that will ensure the car can brake and steer properly in wet conditions. As an absolute minimum, visible damage or a tread depth down to 1.6 mm means it’s time for a new set. Have your mechanic check them when preparing to switch tires.
Out on the road, be conscious of the risks of black ice or hydroplaning. Avoid flooded roads or deep puddles and watch for new potholes as the road thaws. It’s imperative to look out for pedestrians and for cyclists, who are returning onto the roadways in the spring. Rhiannon Fleming, communications manager for CAA Niagara, notes that more wildlife is returning to roadways, too. “We get a big surge in the deer and the smaller animals such as raccoons, because they’re all coming back out in spring.”
Check your wiper blades for damage from harsh winter conditions and change them if needed. | PHOTO: ENVATO/MSVYATKOVSKA
“Wear bright, light-coloured clothing, especially in low-light or dark conditions, and make eye contact with drivers at crosswalks.”
Cyclists should ensure they’re using their front and back lights — especially from dusk to dawn — to increase their visibility. | PHOTO: CHRISTIANBLAZMAR
Whether you’ve been riding on winter roads or had your bike stored for the winter, it’s time for a tune-up to get it road-ready. | PHOTO: ENVATO/DARIAVORONCHUK1
Cyclists When you pull your bicycle out from its winter storage space, it’s a good idea to get it tuned up. “Make sure the brakes are working and your chain is oiled from sitting all winter,” says Fleming. You should also check that the tires are topped up with air and the lights have enough power for reduced visibility at dawn and dusk. Reflective gear is a safe bet in changing light conditions, and the use of hand signals further increases your visibility to other road users (check out our blog post for a refresher). Watch for possible hydroplaning on flooded surfaces — or for black ice, which occurs when a wet surface is in the shade on a cold day. Pedestrians Warmer weather makes it easier to leave your vehicles at home and get back to exploring our neighbourhoods and running errands on foot. A 2025 CAA National study, which collected data for seven months across seven provinces, noted that it’s important for pedestrians to “see and be seen,” especially at intersections. Most near-misses involve a vehicle turning right or left. “Wear bright, light-coloured clothing, especially in low-light or dark conditions, and make eye contact with drivers at crosswalks,” advises Fleming.
No matter how you get around, early spring is especially challenging, as inconsistent temperatures may cause ice to form overnight after daytime thawing. As the mercury rises, motorists, who may have been lax on performing bike checks over cold winter months, need to sharpen that habit and be cautious of pedestrians as everyone starts returning outdoors. CAA
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