A new BCAA winter driving survey shows that some British Columbians are nervous about driving on ice and snow this year.
What the survey also shows, however, is that this fear isn鈥檛 compelling locals to prepare their vehicles for driving in winter conditions.
Conducted by Insights West, the BCAA survey reveals that, 鈥�43 per cent of drivers admit to being nervous behind the wheel when bad weather hit,鈥� but that 32 per cent take still have a 鈥榳ait and see鈥� approach to preparing their vehicles for icy conditions. Further, 21 per cent of respondents said that they鈥檇 wait until the last minute or have no plans to prepare their vehicles for winter at all.
The survey finds that drivers in less snowy areas of the province, such as Metro 麻豆传媒映画and 麻豆传媒映画Island, are the least prepared. With this in mind, BCAA automotive manager听Josh Smythe says that B.C. drivers should be prepared for winter conditions, regardless of where they live.听
鈥淐hances are, no matter where you are in the province, at some point you鈥檙e going to hit bad weather,鈥� says Smythe. He adds that it鈥檚 not just snow; but darkness, fog, heavy rain and ice that can all lead to suddenly treacherous driving situations which can go very badly for unprepared drivers.
BCAA鈥檚 Roadside Assistance calls can be 40 to 60 per cent higher across the province when harsh weather hits. And, in Metro Vancouver, call volumes typically double.
鈥淭here are newer weather patterns to consider, including windstorms, which some of B.C. has already experienced this season,鈥� notes Smythe.
According to the survey, 66 per cent of respondents are being 鈥渕ore vigilant about getting their vehicles serviced for the winter due to 鈥渟trange and unpredictable weather.鈥� Nevertheless, 71 per cent of respondents rated B.C. motorists as 鈥減oor鈥� winter drivers, while a whopping 49 per cent would go so far as to call them the worst drivers in Canada.
Smythe听offers the following tips for winter prep and driving:
1.听听Prepare your car to perform in winter so you can drive more safely
- Get a complete vehicle check-up and install winter tires before cold weather sets in. Sooner is better so you don鈥檛 get caught out. For most highways in B.C., the law requires winter tires as of Oct. 1.
- Carry a winter driving emergency kit and chains in your car.
2.听听Adjust your driving to match the weather conditions
- Before you drive: check road and weather conditions, clear snow and ice from windows and lights, and defog all windows.
- Route plan to avoid trickier areas such as hills or narrow unplowed streets.
- As you drive: slow down, leave more room between you and the car ahead and use turn signals well in advance.
3.听听Put safety first
- Be honest about your driving skills and comfort levels 鈥� don鈥檛 drive in conditions when you don鈥檛 have the skills or if you鈥檙e nervous.
- Always have a plan B. Avoid the temptation to drive when you shouldn鈥檛 by planning other transport options.
- Shovel your driveway and consider how accessible your car is when you park, so roadside assistance can reach you if necessary.
- Carry emergency items in your car, including: highly visible winter outerwear, safety cones, battery jumper cables, a shovel, windshield scraper and brush, flashlight and batteries, warm clothes and boots, gloves, blanket, supply of non-perishable food and water, spare container of winter-grade washer fluid.
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