Your Montreal Checklist for a Road Trip starts with maximum speed limits at 100km/h (62m/h) on highways, 80km/h (50m/h) on rural highways and 50km/h (31m/h) in built-up areas.
Traffic drives on the right. Road signs are international but are usually in French.
Road Safety Tips
There are often road checks for intoxicated drivers. Driving under the influence of alcohol is an indictable offence, and may entail serious penalties. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%.
Seatbelts must be worn at all times, by all passengers, in both the back and front seats.
Children must be secured in properly installed, specially designed seats adjusted to their height and weight until they are big enough to properly wear seatbelts.
Radar detection devices are strictly prohibited and may not be carried in automobiles or used as part of the Montreal Checklist for a Road Trip.
Cars must stop at least five metres from a school bus if its hazard lights are flashing. It is only possible to pass a school bus when the hazard lights are off, once you have made sure that it can be done safely.
Snow tires are a necessity in winter. Taxis and passenger vehicles registered in Quebec must be equipped with tires specifically designed for winter driving. The measure came into effect in the fall of 2008.
Distracted Driving
The use of hand-held cell phones has been banned since July 1, 2008, but hands free devices are still allowed. It's not just an issue of Highway Safety Codes of Transports Québec, it is a measure that results from the adoption of the amendments to the Highway Safety Code.
Distractions from driving come in all forms, looking at your Montreal Checklist for a Road Trip, managing children, personal grooming, changing the radio station in the car, eating and drinking, talking on the phone — even talking to a passenger.
Distractions cause drivers to react more slowly to traffic conditions or events, such as a making a left turn or pulling out from a side road.
Distracted drivers fail more often to recognize potential hazards, including pedestrians, bicycles or debris in the road. They also decrease their margin of safety, leading them to take risks they might not otherwise take.
Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise. If you're too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.
Try to stick with well-lit roads.
Observe night driving safety as soon as the sun goes down.
Twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive, because your eyes are constantly changing to adapt to the growing darkness.
Keep windshield (inside and out) and lights (both head and tail lights) clean.
Make sure headlights are properly aimed. You may blind oncoming drivers and reduce your ability to see the road properly.
Reduce your speed and increase your following distance at night. Some roads may have lower nighttime speed limits.
Question and answer games are an ideal way to become safety conscious, to find out how to avoid hazards and to learn safety rules. Transport Québec offers Quizzes and the Société de l'assurance automobile offers games called Règles de sécurité.
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