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Winter road safety
Definitions of road conditions and visibility
New terms for winter road conditions
The terminology is very simple, as can be seen in the following table, and will help drivers get a handle on road conditions, which are colour-coded to correspond with winter driving situations. The notion of road condition combines two essential factors that influence driving: the condition of the road surface and visibility. To help drivers better adapt their driving to conditions, a word of advice and a colour are associated with each possibility. The code provides a sort of key to road travel. It encourages drivers not only to inform themselves before going on the road, but to adapt their driving to road conditions, to plan for their trip to take longer, in certain cases, and even to postpone their trip if need be. The system allows road users to change their minds about when to set out or even to opt for another means of transportation.
Driving conditions : from the standpoint of road conditions and visibility
Good visibility
Visibility over 500 metres |
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Reduced visibility
Visibility between 100 and 500 metres. |
 |
Zero visibility in places
At unexpected points, atmospheric conditions likely
to catch you off guard reduce visibility to less than
100 metres. |
 |
Zero visibility
Visibility under 100 metres. |
 |
Visibility |
Good |
Reduced |
Zero in places |
Zero |
Road
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Clear road
All traffic lanes are free of snow and ice except
for limited traces that may, in particular, cover road markings. |
 |
Snow patches or Ice patches
In isolated spots one or more traffic lanes are partly
or completely covered with snow or ice likely to catch
motorists off guard. |
 |
Partly snow-covered road or Partly ice covered road
Snow or ice partly covers one or more traffic lanes but the pavement is clear almost everywhere in at least one wheel path. |
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Snow-covered
Snow covers all traffic lanes on a significant part of the road. |
 |
Icy road
Ice covers all traffic lanes on a significant part of the road. |
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| Clear |
|
GOOD
Be careful! |
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Snow patches
or Ice patchs |
|
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Partly
snow-covered
or partly
ice-covered |
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FAIR
Do not be caught off guard!
Allow extra time! |
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| Snow-covered |
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CRITICAL
If possible,
Delay your trip! |
| Icy |
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SORRY
Road closed!
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