After our first significant snowfall of the year, it's important that everyone prepares to drive safely under wintry conditions.

Constable Kyle Lees of the High River RCMP says people need to be especially careful as temperatures begin to drop.

"The temperatures at this point are still above zero so as they encroach below zero, probably we'll get some icy bridge decks on off ramps, areas like that that are prone to more icing."

Constable Lees says that first of all, people need to take appropriate precautions to make sure their vehicle is ready for winter.

"That may include putting winter tires on their vehicle, ensuring that their defrost (rear and front defrost) work, and that their windows are fully defrosted before they take to the road.  And also their windshield wipers are capable of moving any ice, snow, or accumulation off of the windshield." 

Constable Lees also has a reminder for motorists.

"Just because your vehicle is a four wheel drive or an all wheel drive doesn't necessarily mean that it's safer in the winter, and stopping distances remain the same.  We find in the winter a lot of our collisons are caused by people following too close or not taking appropriate precautions with the distance of the vehicle that they're following to ensure that they can stop safely on icy conditions."