Montreal Travel

Road Safety Tips

Must Become a Vital Social Concern

Montreal is well served by a set of road safety tips and by a network of motorways, which are normally two-digit numbers identified by red and blue signs, and by main (100-199) and secondary (200-399) highways, which have green signs.

Traffic drives on the right. Road signs are international but are usually in French. Road safety tips include maximum speed limits at 100kph (62mph) on motorways, 80kph (50mph) on rural highways and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas.

It is illegal to turn right at a red light on the island of Montreal. Those turns, however, are legal elsewhere in the province (unless posted otherwise). The minimum driving age is 16 years.

Proof of insurance (minimum C$50,000 third-party liability) must be carried. Non-residents may be covered for compensation under the province’s no-fault insurance if driving a vehicle registered in Quebec, or a province, or US state with a reciprocal arrangement.

The Société de l’Assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ) (English & French) provides further information on the subject along with many important road safety tips (French & English).

More Road Safety Tips

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 (English & French) and the Société de l'assurance automobile offers games called Règles de sécurité (French only).

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.

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 (English & French) 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 (English & French) 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, 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.

Preventing Accidents

The following road safety tips can help you to stay safer while driving at night (English only).

Make frequent stops for light snacks and exercise. If you're too tired to drive, stop and get 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.

Driving in Québec

License holders from outside Québec may drive a vehicle on a public road in Québec for up to six consecutive months without holding a Québec (English & French) driver's license.

These conditions apply:

Your driver's licence must be valid.

Any licence restrictions also apply in Québec.

You are allowed to operate only the corresponding class of motor vehicle in Québec.

Beyond 6 months, you must hold an International Driver's Permit (English & French), which allows you to operate the corresponding class of motor vehicle in Québec for the length of time the Permit and your driver's license are valid. You must have both in your possession when driving.

Regardless of the length of your stay, if your driver's licence is neither in English or French, getting an International Driver's Permit is highly recommended. You must apply for a Permit in the country that issued your driver's licence, before leaving.

Roads to Montreal

Highways 20 and 40 (the Trans-Canada Highway) are the main east-west routes through the city, arriving from Quebec City to the east and Toronto (via Highway 401) and Ottawa (via Highway 417) from the west. US I-87 from New York City becomes Highway 15 at the border, south of Montreal.

Road Conditions

You may dial 5-1-1 Québec or visit Road Network Conditions Online (English & French) for more information on Montreal road conditions. You may also visit the Weather Network (English & French) for local and current weather.

CAA-Québec (French & English)is actively involved in road safety tips and in programs to educate motorists on the dangers of distracted driving. CAA-Québec belongs to the Canadian Automobile Association (English & French) who offers travel planning, insurance and other services to motorists.

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