Calgary's notorious winter weather unleashed chaotic conditions on city streets this week, prompting a crucial safety reminder from traffic experts: using your vehicle's hazard lights during a snowstorm can be more dangerous than helpful.
Visibility Crisis Sparks Hazard Light Debate
The sudden turn to severe weather on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, brought a combination of heavy snow and intense winds, drastically reducing visibility for drivers. Calgary Police Service Traffic Unit Staff Sergeant Andy Woodward reported that gusts reaching 80 km/h combined with snowfall created treacherous travel conditions across the city.
"The snow itself might not have been record-breaking, but the winds made it far worse," Woodward explained. "Visibility dropped to about 10 feet in some areas, making driving absolutely awful."
In response to these whiteout conditions, many drivers instinctively activated their four-way hazard lights. However, police officials observed this growing trend with concern, stating it often compromises safety for everyone on the road.
Why Hazards Can Cause Confusion
Sergeant Chris Martin of the Calgary Police Service took to social media platform X to address the issue directly. "I've noticed more people driving with hazard lights on in storms/poor visibility," he wrote. "My thoughts are that it makes you & everyone around you LESS safe. It's very distracting & disorienting for other drivers."
Staff Sgt. Woodward elaborated on the problem, clarifying the intended purpose of hazard lights. They are designed to signal that a vehicle is stopped or disabled, or to warn of a stationary hazard ahead. Using them while moving in poor weather sends mixed signals.
"From a layperson's view, they feel a bit safer knowing their hazard lights are on," Woodward acknowledged. "But it does complicate the issue quite a bit for other motorists. They might not know if you're moving slowly, stopped, or warning of something ahead."
He noted that some drivers use the flashing lights to make their vehicle more visible from behind, but emphasized that standard headlights and taillights, which are designed for this purpose, are the safer option.
Essential Winter Driving Strategies from Police
Facing another winter season, Calgary police are reinforcing core safe driving practices. Their primary advice for severe storms is simple: avoid travel unless it is completely necessary.
If caught in a storm while already on the highway, Woodward suggests finding a safe place to pull over and wait for conditions to improve. "Sometimes it will die down quite quickly," he said, referencing the previous day's storm which subsided within two to three hours.
Beyond weather decisions, vehicle preparedness is critical. Police strongly recommend:
- Equipping your vehicle with proper winter tires. Woodward shared his personal experience: "When I first came to Canada in 2010, I drove without winter tires for about four years. I saw such a difference when I got them fitted."
- Ensuring all vehicle lights are functioning correctly.
- Completing a winter service check at a local garage to prevent breakdowns.
The overarching message is for drivers to slow down and exercise extreme caution. This advice carries added weight as Calgary has recorded 37 fatal accidents so far this year. With more winter weather inevitable, adopting these safe practices is not just a recommendation—it's a necessity for protecting all road users.
