‘Tis the season when you will be hearing the phrase “give yourself extra time” a lot in relation to your commute. I know, I know; after a while it doesn’t even register.  And even if it does, how on earth are we supposed to accomplish this task?  We are all so time deprived as it is, that “giving ourselves extra time” almost seems like impossibility. But at least it’s worth it to try. We really have to change our mindset when winter driving conditions hit.  We have to realize that we cannot safely drive as quickly as we do when the roads are clear and dry. We need to slow down and drive according to highway and weather conditions, and that includes keeping a safe distance behind the vehicle ahead of us.  According to MTO, slowing down and staying in control of our vehicle are two key elements of safe winter driving.  So if you take this advice and slow down, simple math will tell you that it will take longer to get where you are going. And, since running late is one of the primary reasons people speed, let’s look at some of the ways to prepare ourselves for a less stressful commute.  What I do the night before is make sure that I have everything, and I mean everything ready for the next day.  I have my clothes laid out (socks, under garments; the works), and anything I need to bring with me the next day packed into my work bag.  I make sure my coffee thermos is cleaned and ready to be filled.  So right away I am ahead of the game. Next, I set my alarm for about half an hour earlier than I need.  I have my clock radio set to 680 News (of course) so if there is a weather pattern that might affect my drive, or if there is a major accident or traffic problem, I get up right away.  If not, then I hit the snooze button and enjoy a little extra sleep.  It also helps to listen to the traffic and weather report before going to sleep to see if there is a weather system on its way that could impact your drive. Spending few minutes to get prepared the night before and getting up early is so worth it.  I am up at 3am every morning, and no I am not a morning person by nature, so if I can do it so can you. Imagine how much more relaxed you will feel, knowing you don’t have to rush, and that you will likely get where you are going on time even if the traffic is heavy. This will certainly help you handle the stress of winter driving a whole lot better.