Woods Roads Driving Safety
Driving on woods roads can present certain challenges. Co-operation between all users and owners/licensees is
required to ensure safety on these roads. The following recommendations can help improve the safety of everyone
using these roads.
For all users:
- Posted speed limits must be respected. Slow
down for special conditions such as dust,
construction, heavy rain, heavy traffic,
deteriorating road conditions, and poor
visibility.
- Dust remains suspended in the air, therefore
reducing visibility considerably and for a long
time. Slow down and leave a greater
following distance, particularly when the
vehicle being followed is moving equipment
or hauling a flatbed trailer.
Clear communication is essential:
- Preferred method is a CB radio.
- Use channel 1, unless otherwise posted.
- All vehicles involved in woodland
operations should be equipped with a CB
radio (thinning/planting vans).
- CB radios are meant for important
dialogue and should be used
appropriately and politely.
The general public does not always realize
the amount and type of traffic on these
roads:
- Do not stop in curves, blind areas or on
bridges.
- ATV drivers use caution when crossing
roadways.
- Woodland operations are constantly
changing. Members of the public need to be
vigilant at all times, even after dark and on
weekends.
- Headlights must be on at all times. [General
Regulation 91-191, section 363]
- Truckers must ensure that their loads are
properly secured when traveling on these
roads. [General Regulation 91-191, section
364]
- The MVA applies not only to public roads
but also to woodland roads with public
access. Therefore, respect for legislation,
such as seatbelts, speeding, driving sober,
vehicle inspection and transport of
dangerous good is an obligation.
- Vehicles of ≥ 1 ton capacity must be
equipped with an audible back-up alarm.
[General Regulation 91-191, paragraph
230.21(1)(f)]
For licensees / owners:
- Kilometre postings should be present on all
major roads to enhance clear communication
and facilitate emergency services.
- Bridges and curves must have proper signage
to allow sufficient reaction time. [General
Regulation 91-191, paragraphs 360(2)(b,c),
361(1)(b,c), and section 362]
- Company, block number and contractors
should identify work areas.
- When the road is narrow, sufficient numbers
of widened areas must be available for two-way
traffic and pull-offs.[General Regulation
91-191, paragraph 360(2)(a)]
- Where visibility is reduced by vegetation and
can become dangerous, it should be cut back.
- Road construction, repair and grading should
be posted using proper signage. [General
Regulation 91-191, subsections 91(1),91(2)
and 93(2)]
- Roads must be kept in a safe condition.
[General Regulation 91-191, paragraph
360(2)(d)] In the summer, this means
grading when necessary as well as spreading
calcium or water.