Gravel Road Safety

The Risks

Gravel roads are a part of life in Saskatchewan. 

They all have 1 thing in common: they can be dangerous.

On average in Saskatchewan, rural municipal are the scenes of nearly 315 collisions each year. These collisions result in more than 128 and 10 deaths annually. Here are some tips to help keep you safe while travelling on gravel:

Slow down

Even the best-maintained gravel roads have rough sections and loose gravel that require lower speeds. Gravel roads without posted limits are 80 km/h zones, although it's important to remember that this speed is for ideal conditions only.

Your tires are another important reason to slow down. They have less traction on loose gravel, which can increase your risk of a collision when you accelerate or turn a corner.

To get the most out of your tires, accelerate and brake gradually to avoid skidding. Also try to avoid swerving to miss animals or objects on the road. Your vehicle may slip or even roll over. Remain calm if your vehicle begins to skid. Take your foot off the accelerator and declutch or shift into neutral. At the same time, look where you want to go and steer in that direction. Once you have regained control of the vehicle, resume driving at a lower speed.

Always take the extra time to watch for other vehicles on the roads, especially before making turns or going through intersections.

Stay on the beaten path

When driving on gravel, it's a good idea to drive in the tire tracks already on the road. This holds true even when there is only 1 set of tracks in the road's center.

If you climb a hill or meet a vehicle traveling from the opposite direction, be prepared to slow down and pull over as far to the right as possible. Be careful when pulling over to the right because you risk slipping into the ditch if your tires go off the packed surface. If you find yourself drifting off the road, don't slam on the brakes. Slow down gradually and then steer back onto the road.

Back off

It takes longer to safely stop on gravel roads, and dust can greatly decrease your visibility. Even under the best conditions, it's best to allow at least 6 seconds of following distance on gravel. If the conditions are less than ideal, you need to leave an even bigger gap between your vehicle and the 1 ahead.

Dust

With dry conditions, sometimes semi-trucks and other vehicles can make visibility difficult. If you pass an oncoming vehicle and are having troubles seeing, do not stop, slow down and move off to the shoulder. Stopping will only increase the risk of being struck by another vehicle coming behind you.

Always keep your eyes on the road, it only takes a second for an incident to happen.

Take Care Out There!