Winter Safety Operations

The safety of residents is HRM's top priority. During the winter season, it's especially important that we watch out for one another. In times of inclement weather, HRM crews will be busy working to keep the streets and sidewalks in our neighbourhoods free from snow and ice for the protection of all residents.

HRM encourages residents and businesses to plan ahead when snow and ice are in the forecast and to keep your vehicles off the street in compliance with the winter parking ban. This will improve conditions for everyone's safety and will help HRM to meet service delivery standards for snow removal.

HRM thanks you for your cooperation and patience in the event of snowstorms. Working together we can have a safe and enjoyable winter season.

Good Neighbour Driving Tips – Plan Ahead!

Driving and Winter

Winter street safety is a partnership - HRM ’s Snow and Ice Control team does everything possible to clear and de-ice our streets, roads, and sidewalks, but drivers have a responsibility to adjust their driving according to conditions. In Nova Scotia, weather conditions can change quickly so always leave plenty of time to reach your destination when traveling in winter.

• If at all possible, don’t drive during a storm. It’s much safer to stay at home and wait until conditions improve.
• Remember that during a storm, major route ways are cleared first and salted more frequently, while other roads and sidewalks could be given a lower priority.
• Watch out for ice, especially on bridges, overpasses and in shaded areas.
• Never assume that because the temperature is above zero that the roads are safe - road salt doesn’t work miracles, and is not effective below -10 degrees C.
• Adjust your speed to conditions. Wet roads can freeze from frost depth in the surface even if the air temperature is above zero.
• Follow at a safe distance. It can take up to 12 times further to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
• Never pass a plow when it is clearing snow from the road. Whiteout conditions are often created in the front of plows which reduces visibility and increases the chance of an accident.

More useful winter safety tips:

• Keep your vehicle in top working order.
• Have a winter survival kit in your vehicle.
• Don’t plow or shovel snow from your driveway onto the street.
• Children should not play in the snow along the side of the road or anywhere a snow plow is likely to operate.

Together, we can ensure that HRM streets and sidewalks are safe and accessible during Nova Scotia’s harsh winter season.

Driving/Parking Solutions

• HRMSmartTrip.ca is a free online service which is supported by HRM and administered by RideShark. It is a state of the art ride-matching system that allows commuters to quickly and securely find carpool partners. By registering on www.HRMSmartTrip.ca you can find people who are interested in carpooling to work, taking transit, biking and/or walking together or sharing parking spaces.
  
• Waterfront Development offers parking alternatives. 
  
• ParkSmart Brochures
  Dartmouth 
  Halifax