Crashes double during winter months as road and weather conditions can change quickly. Being prepared and planning ahead can help save lives.

No matter what the weather is today, fall’s arrival signals the approach of BC’s most dangerous driving season. It also brings the requirement for winter tires on most provincial highways starting on October 1.

The risk of crashing increases significantly in winter. The average number of casualty crashes due to driving too fast for the conditions more than doubles from fall to early winter, according to police statistics.

The 14th annual Shift into Winter campaign, supported by the Winter Driving Safety Alliance and managed by Road Safety at Work, officially launches October 1. It aims to reduce the number of winter-related crashes, injuries, and deaths on BC roads.

“No matter how much experience you have, driving in snow, rain, fog, or icy conditions can be treacherous,” says campaign spokesperson Trace Acres, program director for Road Safety at Work.

Most crashes are preventable. “The best way to help keep yourself and your passengers safe is to start preparing for winter now and plan ahead,” Acres says. “Waiting until the first storm hits is too late.”

Preparation includes installing winter tires, adjusting driver attitudes, and refreshing your memory about safe winter driving practices.

Winter tires are needed (and required by law)

BC law requires drivers to obey winter tire and chain signs throughout the province from October 1 to March 31. For select highways, including mountain passes and rural routes in high snowfall areas, the requirement extends until April 30.

Shift into Winter recommends using four matching tires displaying the three-peaked mountain/snowflake symbol with at least 3.5 mm of tread. They offer the best traction for faster stopping time and shorter stopping distance in cold temperatures, snow, rain, and on ice. Tires with the M+S (Mud and Snow) symbol also meet BC’s requirement.

A change in driver attitude is needed

Acres says drivers need to be pro-active when it comes to their safety – starting with a shift in their attitude.

“The majority of drivers are confident in their own abilities and are quick to blame other drivers as the reason why driving is a dangerous activity,” says Acres. Yet every driver can make an error, such as not turning on headlights during heavy rain or low light, that can cause a crash.

An Road Safety at Work survey in 2021 of people who drive for work found that only 38% of respondents believed driving above the posted speed limit is extremely dangerous when weather is foul. Yet driving too fast for conditions is one of the main contributing factors in vehicle crashes in BC.

When weather is poor, only 36% of respondents acknowledged that driving with less than four seconds of following distance from the vehicle in front of them is extremely dangerous. Only 35% believed driving in snow or ice without winter tires, chains, or other traction devices is extremely perilous.

Finally, only 19% said it’s extremely dangerous to drive without winter tires, chains, or other traction devices when it’s not snowing or icy. Yet wet roads and poor visibility can be a lethal combination for drivers.

“Driving in winter conditions is a risk every single time you get behind the wheel,” says Acres. “We all need to understand that and do our part to improve our winter driving behaviours and practices.”

Safe winter driving practices are needed

Shift into Winter encourages drivers to follow these winter driving safety tips:

Prepare yourself

Your winter driving skills are rusty at the beginning of the season and need practice. Google how to brake safely and get out of a skid. Remind yourself to not use cruise control, which can cause your vehicle to go into a skid in wet or slippery conditions.

Prepare your vehicle

Give it a pre-winter maintenance check-up. Top up the anti-freeze and check tire pressure. Inspect brakes, wipers, lights, and engine belts. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.

Know before you go

Check road and weather conditions on DriveBC.ca before heading out. Ask yourself if it’s safe for you to go. When road and weather conditions are poor, postpone your plans and avoid driving if possible. If you have to travel, select the safest route, give yourself extra time to get to your destination, and tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to arrive.

Slow down and increase your following distance

Reduce speed to match conditions, and allow at least four seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. “Even the most experienced drivers can’t predict how their or the other drivers’ vehicle will handle in snow or on ice,” Acres says. Give yourself extra time and space to react.

Accelerate and brake slowly

On slick roads, start slowly and accelerate gradually to maintain traction and avoid spinning your wheels. When stopping, plan well in advance, apply the brakes gently, and slowly add pressure. Never brake suddenly.

Visit ShiftIntoWinter.ca for more information that can help reduce the risks when driving during winter.

Quotes

The Hon. Harry Bains, Minister of Labour:

“For thousands of people in British Columbia driving is part of their job. Whether you are out on the roads for pleasure or work, it is essential to remain vigilant as the cold weather approaches and days grow shorter. Having the appropriate winter tires on your vehicle is a simple but important way to better ensure everyone on the roads makes it home safely at the end of the day.”

The Hon. Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:

“With the changing seasons come changing road and highway conditions. Many of our highways can experience challenging winter driving conditions, and I encourage all drivers to take a look at the information and practical tips provided by the Shift into Winter campaign to stay safe while driving this winter. Safe and defensive driving can not only protect you and your loved ones, but also others around you.”

About the Winter Driving Safety Alliance

The Winter Driving Safety Alliance is a cross-section of public, private, and non-profit organizations committed to working together to improve safe winter driving behaviours and practices in BC. Members are: Ambulance Paramedics of BC; Automotive Retailers Association; BCAA; BC Forest Safety Council; BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association; BC Trucking Association; City of Kelowna; City of Vancouver; Concrete BC; CoreCode Safety and Compliance; Government of BC; Insurance Corporation of BC; Island Equipment Owners Association; Justice Institute of British Columbia; Kal Tire; Mainroad; RCMP; Road Safety at Work; SafetyDriven; Tiger Calcium; Tire and Rubber Association of Canada; Wilson M Beck Insurance Group; and WorkSafeBC.

About Road Safety at Work

Road Safety at Work manages the Shift into Winter campaign as part of its mandate to help B.C. employers improve the safety of workers when they drive for work. It provides free tools and information for employers, supervisors, and drivers at RoadSafetyAtWork.ca.

Media contact

Gord Woodward, Communications manager Road Safety at Work 250-734-3652 [email protected]