The weather is getting colder in BC and with it brings dicer road conditions.
WorkSafe BC unveiled its Shift Into Winter Campaign last week.
#ShiftIntoWinter and winterize your vehicle to stay safe on the roads this winter. https://t.co/GqG0xgl8PY pic.twitter.com/24m3Il8AXl
— WorkSafeBC (@WorkSafeBC) October 11, 2017
The numbers from last year’s unprecedented winter might shock you. “2016 was indeed a particularly dangerous year for those who are required to drive. WorkSafe BC claims from crashes that resulted in injuries and lost time from work were 38% higher in December of 2016 and they were in December of 2015,” says Al Johnson, spokesperson.
Between 2012 and 2016, an average of 260 casualty crashes took place in December compared to 130 in October.
“We know that your chances of being injured or killed in a motor vehicle incident dramatically increase in the winter season as about 30% of all work-related crashes occur in the peak months of October, November and December,” added Johnson.
According to the RCMP, 626 casualty crashes took place province-wide compared to just 570 a year earlier.
Johnson also wants drivers to be prepared due to the fluctuating weather conditions that take place during the season.
“Whether you’re up in the north in Prince George where it’s snow or ice or whether you’re down in the Lower Mainland where it’s torrential rain and fog, conditions can change and we want workers to be prepared for those conditions.”
Between October 1st and March 31st, most BC Highways require vehicles to have winter tires.
Use 4 matched winter tires with the Mtn Snowflake symbol. More info at ShiftIntoWinter.ca #ShiftIntoWinter pic.twitter.com/OLrp8QoRWI
— Road Safety At Work (@RoadSafeAtWork) October 10, 2017
Some helpful tips for motorists to stay safe on the roads this season include:
- Don’t go — If conditions are bad, postpone your trip if possible.
- Plan your trip — If you have to travel, check road and weather conditions and select the safest route. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination to avoid rushing, and have an emergency plan if you get stuck.
- Prepare your vehicle — Install a set of four matched winter tires and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Every year, be sure to give your vehicle a pre-season maintenance check-up.
- Slow down and drive to the conditions — Even the most confident and seasoned drivers are at risk in hazardous road conditions. Slow down to match road conditions maintain a safe following distance, at least four seconds, between you and the vehicle ahead.
- For employers and supervisors — The Winter Driving Safety online course and Toolkit on the Shift Into Winter website provides useful information for planning, implementing and monitoring a winter-driving safety program.
For more information about what you can do to stay safe while driving this winter, visitShiftIntoWinter.ca.