With Christmas fast approaching our Cariboo roads and Highways will see an increase in holiday travelers.
Media Relations Officer for BC Highway Patrol, Corporal Michael McLaughlin, said to help make your trip safer, take a few more minutes before you get into your vehicle to prepare for what’s out there.
“Is you vehicle ready? Do you have appropriate windshield wipers. Do all the lights work? Is everything in good shape? “
McLaughlin said when it comes to driving, you personally need to be ready.
“You need to be completely sober. Yes there are going to be parties but plan ahead for that. You need to be completely focused on your driving, don’t have any distractions. Winter driving is a little more complicated with a little more going on so be focused.”
Conditions are really important, McLaughlin noted, they are the backbone of what makes winter driving so complex.
“Check on the roads. If you’re going any kind of distance conditions are probably going to change. You might go from snow, to ice, to rain, to sun. Be prepared for all of that and give yourself some extra time on the roads.”
Making sure you’re wearing your seat belt is very important.
“In the Cariboo we do have a problem with not wearing our seat belts,” Mclaughlin said, “not sure why, it’s really easy and it will literally save your life in a collision. If you do get into a collision, going slowly is a force multiplier for your survival. So you really need to slow down, speed limits are for ideal conditions in the summer so go slower.”
During this time of year, you will see even more of a presence from BC Highway Patrol.
“We are putting in some overtime to keep the roads safe. Impaired driving is always a big focus in December. Another thing we’re seeing a lot of lately and it is happening in the Cariboo, is stunt driving.” McLaughlin said, “People having fun in their vehicles in the snow. Doing donuts is really dangerous, that is a good way to go plowing into a business, perhaps get on sidewalk and hurt someone, and we will write a ticket for that . So drive safely, get to where you’re going, and you won’t have to deal with all those extra police officers.”
If you do have to drive during the peak conditions on our Highways this Holiday Season, McLaughlin said try to be patient, give yourself 20 percent more patience than you would normally and it will really help you get where you’re going safely.
Something going on in the Cariboo you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing cariboonews@vistaradio.ca.
