Be ready when Mother Nature puts our rides to ultimate test
Fall weather is well upon us and that could soon translate into frost and snow for many parts of the province — and with it, some of the most challenging driving conditions of the year.
And when winter weather arrives, you’ll definitely want to be ready for Mother Nature’s ultimate road test.
As drivers, the onus will be on us to prepare for a variety of driving conditions — especially if embarking on routes at higher elevations — by exercising caution, driving at a reasonable speed based on road and weather conditions and ensuring your vehicle is equipped with appropriate tires.
A 2017 survey conducted by ICBC indicated serious crashes increased by 10 per cent the year previous, due in large part to drivers simply going too fast for the road conditions. In B.C.’s north-central region, accidents in which people are injured or killed more than double each year, as the weather worsens throughout the fall.
It’s particularly important to be cautious and take extra time if you are driving a route that involves mountain passes, which can be especially unpredictable during the fall and winter. You may start a trip in the sunshine, but later face stretches of slush, ice, snow or compact snow. Before embarking on a trip, motorists should visit drivebc.ca to access the latest road conditions and view the road cameras covering major highway routes.
Having the proper tires cannot be emphasized enough. Equip your vehicle with proper snow tires (snowflake symbol) or winter/all-season tires (M+S symbol, which stands for “mud and snow”). Switching out of your summer tires for something more weather-appropriate is not only logical and safe, but it’s mandatory in some parts of the province. From Oct. 1 to March 31, winter tire rules take effect and drivers are required to use winter tires on most B.C. highways.
Driving in the snow is a simple science: it’s all about friction and traction. Snow tires have a deeper tread to cut through the slush and snow, and are constructed from softer rubber to help with traction (especially below 7 C). All-season tires have reduced traction and stopping power below 7 C, and do not offer reliable braking or cornering on ice or cold weather conditions. Compared to M+S tires, snow tires offer superior braking and cornering performance on wet and rough ice, soft and hard-packed snow, along with slush. It’s worth the investment for snow tires!
In general, winter driving requires a lot more concentration and care as well. Use slow motions, refrain from braking quickly and use a soft foot on the accelerator pedal. Driving slower is one of the smartest things you can do. And in rainy or snowy weather with lower visibility, use your headlights to ensure you’re visible by both the vehicles in front of and behind you.