With frigid temperatures this Christmas Day and many motorists on the roads, the Steinbach RCMP have some cold weather driving tips.

Constable Forest Machek says the first and most important thing to remember is to drive to the conditions. She notes with snow and ice on the roads it is best to drive below the posted speed limit and give yourself more time to get to your destination. She notes you should also give other vehicles space.

"Keep plenty of distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you. In winter you are trying to leave about 6 seconds on city streets and eight seconds between you and the next vehicle on the highway."

Constable Machek says when it comes to the extremely cold days, one danger can be frost and ice.

"Definitely, clear the snow and ice off of your vehicle before leaving and to turn on your headlights during the heavy snow. Because it gets dark so early a lot of people forget and they don’t turn their lights on and if anything happens, other vehicles can’t see them and might crash into them."

Constable Machek notes if you do see someone it the ditch it is best to stop and check on them. She notes it is very helpful to police and other emergency services if you determine what their needs are before phoning 911.

"A lot of people want to be good Samaritans and they want to call that in and they call the police for someone who has just hit a little bit of ice and went into the ditch but a lot of times they don’t stop themselves, so if it is safe, we would ask that if you see an accident, just pull over and ask the driver if they need police, often they don’t and they just need a tow but if they don’t stop, we don’t know."