Be prepared for winter driving — Shift Into Winter Campaign
By Lone Sheep Publishing
It’s no secret living in the Kootenay/Boundary region that drivers will inevitably experience driving in winter conditions.
Winter conditions such as colder temperatures, rain, snow, black ice, reduced visibility, and fewer daylight hours can present serious hazards for all drivers around the Central Kootenays and Boundary highways.
Here are a few tips to prepare drivers for winter driving.
Even the most experienced drivers in Nelson and around the Central Kootenays can find winter driving challenging. To help keep yourself safe, consider postponing driving when road and weather conditions are poor
If travelling is essential, planning ahead could help prevent problems when you’re behind the wheel for pleasure or work. The Shift into Winter awareness campaign aims to encourage drivers to change their driving behaviour by adopting winter safe driving practices.
Travel during daylight, if possible, and know these basic winter driving steps before you go:
- Slow down to match road conditions
- Maintain a safe following distance (at least 4 seconds)
- Know how to brake safely and get out of a skid
Here are some other tips from ShiftIntoWinter.ca to prepare yourself for winter driving.
Plan your route
Check DriveBC for the latest highway conditions, highway cams, and weather forecasts or call 1-800-550-4997 for road information 24 hours a day. Select the safest route and allow extra time to get to the destination. Tell someone the trip destination and arrival time.
Check your phone
Make sure it’s charged before leaving. Bring a charger since cell batteries can drain quickly in very cold weather. Don’t use the phone while driving for any reason. And don’t leave it in the car for extended periods of time.
Wear comfortable clothing
Wear clothing that doesn’t restrict movement while driving. Bring warm winter boots, coat, gloves, and a hat with you in case there is a need to get out of the vehicle.
Have an emergency kit and plan
Always carry an emergency kit and don’t panic if there is an incident that leads to being stuck or stranded. Stay with the vehicle for safety and warmth. Open the window slightly to guaranete a supply of fresh air and call for roadside assistance or 911 if it’s an emergency. Avoid overexertion and exposure.
Clear and warm up your vehicle before driving
Scrape snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors, the hood, and the roof. Wait for windows to defrost completely for visibility.
