With bad weather comes more accidents in Metro Vancouver.
That's the word from ICBC, which noted in a recent press release the number of crashes that result in injury or death increases from an average of 60 in October, to an average of 89 in December, in the Lower Mainland alone, as a result of speeding.
At the start of November, the province, police and ICBC joined together to launch a speed awareness education and enforcement campaign to encourage B.C. drivers to slow down in poor weather and help them prepare for the challenges of driving in the fall and winter.
Here are tips from ICBC for safe fall and winter driving:
? Get prepared. Check the weather before you head out for the day.
? If you're planning a trip to an area you're not familiar with, check the road conditions for your entire route so you can prepare for the weather you may encounter.
? Slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions only. It takes more time and distance to come to a complete stop on snowy roads.
? Slow down and increase your following distance to at least four seconds.
? Prepare your vehicle. Make sure that your tires are rated for the conditions you're driving in, the tread isn't badly worn and they're inflated at the correct pressure - pressure drops in cold weather and over inflated tires can reduce gripping.
? Make sure your wipers are in good condition so that you can see more of the road.
? Leave the car at home. When heavy snow arrives, consider alternatives for getting to work so you get there safely - whether it's taking transit, carpooling with a friend who's a confident winter driver, working from home or adjusting your hours of work.
ICBC invests in road safety to help change driver behaviour and make our roads safer for everyone.
Speeding is the leading cause of car crash fatalities in B.C. On average, 129 people are killed each year in speed-related crashes.
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