**** HRM Media Release

Winter 2020-21 Preparation

The Halifax Regional Municipality is reminding residents that, with winter just around the corner, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for whatever the season may bring.

Think before your park

When and where you park in the winter can have a big impact on clearing streets and sidewalks during a winter storm.

Residents are reminded to secure off-street parking for the winter months so that snow plow operators can safely and efficiently clear the streets and sidewalks. As in previous seasons, the overnight winter parking ban will be in place from Dec. 15, 2020 to Mar. 31, 2021. The ban will be enforced between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m., during declared weather events and extended clearing operations. Residents are also reminded that in addition to the overnight parking ban, Section 139 of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act states that tickets can be issued and vehicles can be towed any time, day or night, if they are parked in a manner that interferes with snow clearing.

The easiest way to know when the parking ban will be enforced is to sign up for the municipality’s alert system, hfxALERT.

Residents can also request registration by calling 311.

To help avoid a ticket, as well as the inconvenience and cost of being towed, residents should ask themselves these four questions when considering parking on the street this winter:

Is the overnight parking ban currently being enforced?
Is your vehicle causing a safety issue?
Is it making the road impassable?
Is it impeding snow operations underway in the area?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, do not park on the street.

Do your part

Residents are asked to assist in clearing efforts by proactively removing any obstructions or hazards from their property that may interfere with the ability of crews to properly clear streets and sidewalks of snow and ice. For tips on how to protect your property and ensure clearing efforts go as safely and smoothly as possible this season visit our website.

For the most up to date information before, during and after a winter storm, visit Halifax.ca/snow and follow us on Twitter @hfxgov.

Winter safety tips

Never plow or shovel snow from your driveway onto the street or sidewalk. It is against By-Law S-300 and can cause serious problems for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues.
If possible, don’t drive during a storm. It’s much safer to stay at home and wait until conditions improve.
During a storm, major arterial routes are cleared first and salted more frequently than residential side streets and sidewalks.
Watch for ice, especially on bridges, overpasses and in shaded areas of the roadway and sidewalks.
Even if roads appear to be salted, remember that salt becomes much less effective in melting snow at temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius.
Adjust your speed. Wet roads can freeze even if the air temperature is above zero.
Follow at a safe distance. It can take up to 12 times longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.
Never pass a plow when it is clearing snow from the road. Whiteout conditions are often created in the front of plows which reduces visibility and increases the chance of an accident.
Keep your vehicle in top working order.
Have a survival kit in your vehicle.
Children should not play in the snow along the side of the road or anywhere a snow plow is likely to operate.

Municipal snow clearing updates

For minor (0-5 cm) and average (5-15 cm) winter events, snow clearing updates will be posted three times a day: 7 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. on the service updates page and via @hfxgov on Twitter.

For major events (15+ cm accumulation), updates will be posted four times a day: 7 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Please note: Additional updates may be posted outside of these times as required.

If we work together we can all be better prepared for whatever the season may bring.