BC Highway Patrol reminds drivers throughout the province to be prepared for the changing driving conditions as the winter months near.
October is drive relative to conditions month and RCMP Media Relations Officer, Mike Halskov explained what BC Highway Patrol will be doing.
“Police will be out in force throughout the province stopping drivers and checking vehicles to ensure motorists are safe and vehicles are properly equipped to meet winter driving conditions. According to provincial statistics, an average of 36 people are killed every year in BC in collisions where vehicles were being driven too fast for the road conditions.”
With daylight hours getting shorter and the weather becomes more inclement, police remind motorists of some things they can do to arrive safely at their destination.
Clean your vehicle’s windows inside and out, use air conditioning at a comfortable temperature so windows don’t fog up, and consider applying products to the exterior glass that repels water to improve visibility.
Check tires to ensure they are in good condition, have sufficient tread depth, and are properly inflated.
Make sure all lights, signals, and brake lights are fully functional.
Watch out for “black ice” as temperatures drop to freezing especially when you’re going over mountain passes where temperatures can change quickly.
Motorists can expect to see an increased police presence on our highways throughout the province during this enhanced enforcement campaign and may experience short delays.