As a professional driver within the tourism industry and having seen more than my share of mishaps on my long hauls through the rugged back country, Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies, I fully endorse this article I received this morning from BCAA. It all seems so logical, but it's the small things we often overlook when we hit the road on our travels.
BURNABY, BC, Dec. 9 /CNW/ - It never fails. With the first cold snap of the season, comes plenty of vehicle breakdowns and crashes. BCAA Road Assist has experienced double the normal call volumes since the cold weather streak hit the province, and is asking drivers to prepare for the challenges of driving in cold, icy and snowy conditions.
To avoid falling victim to "old man winter", BCAA urges you to fully prepare your vehicle and learn the essentials of good winter driving -- that is, to stay alert, slow down and stay in control.
BCAA's top ten winter driving and vehicle prep tips include:
1. Give your vehicle a winter check-up. Check fluids, tire tread and inflation, lights, wipers, brakes and check your battery to ensure the power is there when you need it.
2. Install four matching winter tires. Don't mix tires with different tread patterns, internal construction and size, as it diminishes vehicle handling.
3. If you're heading out on a long trip, pack an emergency kit including a shovel, extra windshield washer fluid, sand or kitty litter, fuel-line antifreeze, a thermal blanket, extra clothing and footwear, and a first-aid kit.
4. Learn and practice winter driving techniques before you need them. If you have tire chains, make sure you have practiced installing them before you're standing knee-deep in snow.
5. Plan ahead, check road and weather conditions. If driving is risky, stay home if you can. If not, proceed with caution and keep your radio tuned to a local station for ongoing weather advisories.
6. Remove all snow from your vehicle before each trip, including the hood, roof, bumpers and lights. Also, ensure your windshield and windows are free of frost and ice, and are de-fogged before starting out.
7. Give yourself extra travel time in bad weather, and whenever possible, don't travel alone.
8. Avoid using overdrive and cruise control on slippery roads. If you're driving a four-wheel drive vehicle, don't drive with a false sense of security. The four-wheel drive feature reduces your likelihood of getting stuck, but it won't help you stop any faster.
9. Travel with a fully charged cell phone, but don't talk and drive. Let someone with you make the call, or pull over to a safe spot to place a call.
10. Drive for the conditions, not the speed limit. Take it slow and signal your turns and lane changes well in advance. Increase the distance between you and the car in front of you. Transport Canada recommends leaving a distance of 10 car-lengths when driving at 100 km/h in winter.
More winter driving tips and resources can be found on BCAA's website at www.bcaa.com/winterdriving.
Travel Images www.westshoregalleries.ifp3.com
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