Expect unpredictable road conditions this long weekend

Snow, sleet, rain, hail and fog are just some of the challenging fall conditions drivers should be prepared for this Thanksgiving long weekend, according to ICBC.

On average, four people are killed and 650 people are injured in 2,100 crashes in B.C. over Thanksgiving long weekend. For the North Central region, 18 people are injured in 140 crashes.

As of Monday, drivers are required to use winter tires on most B.C. highways including those in northern B.C.

Winter tires are labelled with either the mountain/snowflake symbol or the mud and snow designation (M&S). They must also be in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm.

Here are some tips for a safe drive:

• Know your route. Weather is unpredictable and varies greatly at this time of year so check road and weather conditions before your trip at drivebc.ca.

• Prepare your vehicle. With summer weather long over in parts of the province, make sure your vehicle’s seasonally prepared. It’s just as important to prepare your vehicle as it is to adjust your speed for the road conditions. Make sure your vehicle’s headlights and taillights are in working order, keep wiper fluid topped up for clearer visibility and don’t drive with badly worn or under-inflated tires.

• Slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal road conditions. When driving on snow, ice, slush or in rain or fog, slow down. Allow yourself at least twice the normal braking distance on wet or slippery roads and avoid driving through flooded or washed out roads.

• Take a break from your phone. Let calls go to voicemail and ignore your notifications while driving. If you have to take a call, pull over when it’s safe to do so; stay focused on the road and keep the conversation brief. Make sure you’re focused on driving before re-entering traffic.