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Shift into winter
Letter to the Editor
The Shift Into Winter campaign officially kicked off Oct. 5, and we are reminding everyone to prepare their vehicle for winter weather conditions.
We encourage drivers to choose the best tires possible and to ensure their tires are in good condition. Tires with the mountain snowflake symbol, which are specifically designed to meet cold weather performance standards, are the best choice for safe travel in winter conditions.
Now that fall has arrived and with winter weather around the corner, having the right kind of tires on your car to give you proper traction is very important.
The Shift into Winter campaign reminds drivers that having proper tires, planning ahead, and driving according to road conditions will help keep them safe when driving in difficult winter conditions.
When you get behind the wheel this winter, make sure you adjust your driving speed and behaviours to the particular winter conditions you’ll be facing. Slow down, keep your windows clear, make sure your vehicle is properly equipped for the weather and terrain, and pay attention to what you are doing so you arrive at your destination safely. The message is simple – slow down, focus up and drive defensively.
In challenging road conditions, it’s critical that you adjust your driving for the conditions you encounter and ensure your vehicle is properly equipped. For the safety of everyone on the road, slow down, increase your following distance to at least four seconds and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
In B.C., signs are posted to identify the routes where winter tires are required for lighter cars and trucks, and chains are required for heavy commercial trucks that are 27,000 kg gross volume weight (GVW) and greater. These routes are generally located approaching high mountain passes and highways which see significant winter conditions and where conditions can change from rain to snow very quickly.
To be considered a winter tire, a Mountain Snowflake or an M+S tire must have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth across the whole tire. For travellers who routinely travel winter roads, the government and the
RCMP recommends installing Mountain Snowflake tires. For others who travel occasionally and can choose when they go, M+S tires are acceptable.
The B.C. government has boosted funding for the multi-agency ‘Shift into Winter’ campaign, which promotes safe winter driving in B.C. As a result, the campaign’s reach has doubled from previous years. This safety campaign reminds motorists to prepare their vehicles for winter weather, check DriveBC before they leave home, and to drive to road conditions.
This year, Shift into Winter is offering a new – and free – online course for companies with employees who drive during the winter months in B.C. The new online course helps managers and supervisors get ahead of the winter weather by planning and implementing a winter driving safety program for the workplace.
In addition to winter tires, here are some tips for safe winter driving:
* Get your vehicle ready for winter in the fall.
* Wear your seatbelt.
* Drive to the road conditions – during times of bad weather or limited visibility, slow down.
* Learn and practice winter driving techniques before you need them.
* Don’t drive under the influence.
* Keep your gas tank topped up.
* Pack an emergency kit.
* Plan your trip and tell your friends and family.
* Check road and weather conditions on DriveBC.
* Remove all snow from your vehicle before each trip.
* Give yourself extra travel time in bad weather.
* Avoid using overdrive and cruise control on slippery roads.
* Travel with a fully charged cell phone for emergency situations.
B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
