Be careful travelling this Easter Weekend
By Contributor
Every Easter long weekend, an average of three people are killed and 670 injured in 2,300 crashes in B.C. — of that stat 66 people are injured in 300 crashes every year in the Southern Interior.
People planning a road trip with family or friends this weekend, should do their part to keep our roads safe by making smart choices behind the wheel.
“As families spend quality time together over the Easter long weekend, it’s important people take precautions to avoid any road trips from ending in tragedy,” said Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
“If your plans include driving, get plenty of rest before you travel, avoid distractions when behind the wheel, and check road and weather conditions at drivebc.ca to help you reach your destination safely.”
“Police will be on the lookout throughout B.C. this weekend for drivers who put others at risk,” said Chief Officer Neil Dubord, Chair of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee.
“Driving is a complex task and many crashes could be avoided if drivers focused their full attention on the road and obeyed the rules.”
Tips:
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Plan ahead: Before you set off, map your route, including rest breaks every two hours, and check road and weather conditions at drivebc.ca. Anticipate increased traffic over the long weekend so you’re realistic about travel times.
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Drive relative to conditions: Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions only. Many areas of the province may still experience variable conditions at this time of year. If driving on wet or icy roads or in fog or heavy rain, adjust your speed to the conditions and increase your following distance.
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Maintain your vehicle: Whether or not you’re taking a road trip over Easter, your vehicle could probably use a tune-up this spring. If you have winter tires, swap them for all-seasons in at least good condition and ensure they’re properly inflated. Change your wiper fluid if you were using an anti-freeze solution and replace your wiper blades if they are worn, cracked or rigid.
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Share the road: With the weather warming up, you may see more motorcycles on the road. Allow at least three seconds following distance if you’re behind a motorcycle on high-speed roads as they have a much shorter stopping distance.
