A new survey has revealed the majority of British Columbia drivers feel nervous driving in winter conditions.
The survey conducted by Ipsos for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) showed 60% of B.C. drivers feel apprehensive about being behind the wheel in cold conditions but despite this, more than one-third – 38% – said they hadn’t installed winter tires on their vehicle for winter.
The top reasons given included the weather in their area not being severe enough (36%), drivers avoiding snow and icy conditions (27%), planning to put winter tires on later in winter (22%) and the cost of winter tires being too high (19%).
“With snow in the forecast, we’re here to offer guidance and tips to help drivers feel confident and prepared,” said Sarah McKinney, ICBC’s senior manager of stakeholder and community relations.
“The key to driving in snowy conditions is to drive slow and steady. Increase your following distance behind other vehicles and avoid sudden movements that could cause your vehicle to skid. Pay close attention as you approach intersections and look for pedestrians.”
Nearly all B.C. drivers (95%) surveyed shared that extreme weather events in recent years have made them more likely to take extra precautions, including checking road and weather conditions before driving (74%), delaying travel until road conditions improve (60%), ensuring vehicle maintenance is done for the change in season (55%), and packing an emergency kit (50%).
The ICBC has offered the following tips for winter driving:
- Plan your route and check road conditions.
- Reduce your driving speed, increase your following distance and anticipate turns, stops and lane changes well in advance.
- Don’t pass snowplows on the road. They may be equipped with a wing blade on either of its sides which may not be visible due to the snow it sprays.
- Beware of black ice when temperatures near freezing. If you notice ice build-up on your windshield, there’s likely black ice on the road.
