Driving habits

There are hazards to driving this road that are possibly new to one's experience, even for those with many years driving experience.

Keep to the right at the top of a hill on gravel roads.

Without thinking about it, it is natural to find yourself following the path of least resistance on a gravel road, and that typically is a pair of smooth tire paths in the center of the road. This is fine most of the time as you'll encounter very little traffic. However there is a hazard on the top of a hill when you can't see an oncoming car or truck doing the same thing. On the gravel road to Esker in the late 70's there was a head on collision caused by this phenomenon, which was fatal to all. On the highway around Churchill Falls you'll see signs posted "Danger - Hill / Keep Right" - it is very good advice.

Slow down on turns while driving on gravel

This is especially important to remember on the Labrador City - Churchill Falls route. The straight and level sections will entice one to go a little faster, but you've got to remember to slow down for any hint of a turn or you can find yourself riding atop the gravel like hundreds of marbles under your tires and then you could be off the road. This is even worse with rear wheel drive vehicles, such as trucks and older model cars which are prone to fishtailing if there is also some washboard bumps along the turns. On my trip we passed an older model Dodge car that had left the road on a very slight turn immediately following a long straight stretch. The telltale of what had happened was that his rear end was further off the shoulder than the front end - which likely indicates a combination fishtail and sliding on gravel loss of control. Just remember that you can't lean into those turns like you can on pavement.

Watch out for Porcupines

I saw about 20 porcupines on the highway on my return trip in the evening. They come to the roadside because of the types of vegetation growing around disturbed areas. They are slow movers and are not afraid of people or vehicles, however striking one could lead to loss of control (and is not nice to porcupines).