Welcome to Alberta Time: How to Drive Safely in Snow, Fog and Dark Mornings 🌫️❄️

Alberta has moved to permanent Alberta Time (ABT), which is equivalent to UTC-6:00, so clocks will no longer be reset. Which means no more changing clocks, but darker winter mornings. With snow and dense fog already here, the advice for low-visibility driving is to slow down, use your headlights (low beams work best in fog or heavy snow), leave at least three times your normal following distance on slick roads, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle and check road conditions at 5-1-1 or 511.alberta.ca. And watch for people on foot. Pedestrians should wear bright or reflective clothing and make eye contact before crossing and drivers should be ready to stop.

What Is Alberta Time (ABT)?

According to the Government of Alberta, permanent Alberta Time replaces the previous seasonal system (Mountain Daylight Time) and its official abbreviation is ABT. It’s equivalent to UTC-6:00.

What it means for you:

• No more spring forward or fall back. The goal is to end the twice-yearly clock changes.
• Beginning in November 2026, clocks will no longer reset to Mountain Standard Time. The Government of Alberta says Alberta officially moves to Alberta Time on November 1, 2026.
• Check your devices. Most should update automatically, but some older devices may not. Install updates and make sure automatic date, time and time zone settings are on.
• The province will gather feedback after the first full year of operating on permanent time.

Welcome to Alberta Time! What a great time to be alive!

How Does Alberta Time Change My Winter Driving?

Staying on daylight time doesn’t add any daylight. It moves daylight from the morning to the evening. In winter, it means brighter evenings, but darker mornings. Sunrise will be about an hour later than it would have been on standard time.

For drivers, school-bound kids and early-morning walkers, it means more of the commute happens in the dark. Add snow and fog and visibility drops even further.

How Do I Drive in Dense Fog and Snow?

Fog and snow have one thing in common: you can’t see far. Some of the winter driving tips give a good checklist for low-visibility conditions.

• Slow down. The posted limit is intended for ideal conditions. Drivers are legally required to drive according to road conditions. 🐢
• Use your headlights and choose low beams. Keep your headlights on all the time and don’t rely on daytime running lights. Low beams are more effective than high beams in fog or heavy snow. 💡
• Leave extra space. On wet or slick surfaces, leave at least three times your normal following distance. 📏
• Clear your vehicle. Remove all snow and ice from your windows, side mirrors, headlights, taillights and licence plates. Fog is hard enough without a foggy windshield. 🧼
• Be gentle. Use gentle brake pressure, avoid braking on curves and avoid the use of cruise control in winter conditions. 🦶
• Check before you go. Dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.alberta.ca for road information. 📱
• Stay home if you can. Unless travel is absolutely necessary, stay off the roads during major storms. 🏠

How Can Drivers Watch for Pedestrians and Children in the Dark and Fog?

When visibility is low, people on foot can be hard to see. A few habits help:

• Scan, then scan again. Look at sidewalks, crosswalks, driveways and bus stops well before you get there.
• Yield to pedestrians. In Alberta, drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked. According to AIRB’s Technical Guidance, failing to yield to a pedestrian is a minor conviction with $810 fine.
• Check before you move. The Driver’s Guide advises walking around your vehicle before you get in to check for children and pedestrians and shoulder-checking before turning.
• Watch the school zone. The speed limit for school zones is 30 km/h unless otherwise posted. Speeding in a school or playground zone is always a major conviction with double fines.
• Wait at turns. Don’t enter a crosswalk to turn until pedestrians are safely out of the intersection.

What Can Pedestrians and Parents Do?

It is recommended for people on foot:

• Wear bright or light-coloured clothing or reflective strips in low light.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Don’t assume you’ve been seen.
• Stay alert near driveways and parking lot entrances.

Parents: With darker mornings, make sure kids walking to school or waiting for the bus are easy to see. Talk through the crossing routes they use and add reflective gear to coats and backpacks.

How Does a Low-Visibility Collision Affect My Car Insurance?

Slowing down in fog and snow protects more than your schedule. According to AIRB:

• Claims cost more. AIRB’s Market & Trends 2026 report shows the average cost of a collision claim in Alberta has risen about 46.9% since 2021.
• At-fault claims count for 6 years. An at-fault claim can affect your premium up to 6 years.
• Tickets count for 3 years. Minor or major traffic convictions can affect your premium up to 3 years.

Learn more about this at airbfordrivers.ca.

The Bottom Line

Alberta Time means one less clock change and more daylight in the evening. It also means darker mornings, right as fog and snow roll in. So give yourself extra time, light up, slow down and look twice. Let’s make Alberta Time a safe time. 🚸

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alberta Time (ABT)? According to the Government of Alberta, it’s the permanent time which replaces the previous seasonal system. Alberta was previously using the Mountain Daylight Time. Alberta Time is equivalent to UTC-6:00.

Is Alberta still changing its clocks? No. Beginning in November 2026, clocks will no longer reset to Mountain Standard Time.

Will mornings be darker on Alberta Time? Yes. Daylight shifts from the morning to the evening, so winter mornings are darker and evenings are lighter.

Should I use high beams or low beams in fog? Low beams are more effective than high beams in fog or heavy snow.

How much following distance do I need on slick roads? At least three times your normal following distance.

How can I find out about road conditions in Alberta? Dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.alberta.ca.

What is the speed limit in an Alberta school zone? 30 km/h unless otherwise posted, according to the Driver’s Guide.

How can pedestrians be safer in the dark and fog? Wear bright or light-coloured clothing or reflective strips, make eye contact with drivers before crossing and stay alert near driveways.

Is failing to yield to a pedestrian a conviction? Failing to yield right of way to a pedestrian is a minor conviction with a $810 fine and 4 demerits.

How long do at-fault claims and tickets affect my insurance? At-fault claims can count for 6 years and minor or major convictions can count for 3 years.