Serious winter weather may still be a few weeks away, but drivers should be mindful of changing conditions.
BC Highway Patrol Corporal Michael McLaughlin says the first step in getting ready for winter is making sure your vehicle is ready for road conditions.
“That’s going to start with winter tires, which have different compounds and treads that handle snow better. You should also have an emergency kit and make sure you travel with a fully charged cellphone,” said McLaughlin.
Winter tires are mandatory on most B.C. highways from October 1 to April 30 each year.
Cruise control should not be active when you are driving in slippery conditions.
“It’s important to slow down, but make sure you’re using your own eyes and you’re fully aware of the road and not relying on cruise control, which does not know when you’re coming up to a slippery turn,” said McLaughlin.
Long highway drives may take you through mountain passes, which can be more treacherous through the colder months.
“Mountain passes are particularly troublesome in the winter, so it’s important to slow down and give yourself time,” explained McLaughlin.
“There’s generally a lot more wind in the passes, so your visibility is going to be limited as well. You also should remove all of your snow from your vehicle, you don’t want that blowing around, too.”
Drivers also should increase their following distance to at least four seconds between themself and the vehicle ahead of them.
“Driving in winter is fundamentally different than other times of the year. You have to take a few minutes before you drive to make sure your vehicle is ready and not covered in snow,” said McLaughlin.
“Make sure you have good tires and drive slower. You never know what’s going to happen if you try to rush.”
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