Question:

How do I drive in winter conditions?

Answer:

In the lower mainland we are lucky to have much milder winters than in many other parts of the country, but we still experience winter conditions that require people to adjust their driving.  We often see rain, wind, icy roads, snow, etc., and when any of these conditions are present, it is very important to remember the following tips:

1.  Make sure you can see and are seen by others!  Visibility can be greatly affected by many winter driving conditions so be sure to reduce your speed as needed.  SLOW DOWN when visibility is not optimal, especially when approaching intersections with lights and stop signs.  You may need to slow down for turns earlier than usual and be sure to always lookout for pedestrians who are hard to see in poor visibility!!!

Always have your headlights on when visibility is reduced.  When making turns, it is also a good idea to use your indicator sooner to give the car behind you more time to slow down as you slow for your turn.

If conditions are snowy, be sure to clear your car of any accumulated snow prior to driving, including:

• All your windows, so you can see.
• Your head lights, tail lights and turning signals so others can see you and where you intend to go.
• Your hood, trunk and roof to prevent large chunks of snow flying off your car as you drive, which can greatly affect the visibility of those driving behind you.

2.  Widen the gap!  Leave some extra space between you and the car in front of you.  Instead of the usual 2 second gap, increase it to 4 or 5 seconds to give yourself more room to stop on slippery roads.  Even if the road is not slick where you are at that very moment, when temperatures dip, there can be icy patches in unexpected places so giving yourself the extra gap will give you extra time to stop.

3.  Use common sense!  If the roads are not safe to drive on, STAY HOME!!

Be safe out there during these winter months!