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October marks the Drive Relative to Conditions Campaign throughout BC

B.C., BC Highway Patrol

2023-10-03 10:30 PDT

Autumn, brings in a massive change to the natural world. As the days grow shorter and temperatures begins to drop, the vibrant colors of the leaves change from green to red, orange and yellow. This change in the color of tree leaves is not just a visual spectacle; it signifies nature’s preparation for the harsh winter months ahead. Cooler temperatures serve us a reminder that winter’s chill is approaching, prompting the need for vehicle and driving habit preparations. The roads become more treacherous with the possibility of frost, ice, and snow. Ensuring your vehicle is winter-ready, with appropriate tire and maintenance, and adapting your driving habits to accommodate slippery conditions becomes paramount. Preparing for winter in autumn is a responsible step to safeguard yourself and others on the road, embracing the seasonal cycle with foresight and preparedness.

Photo of fall foliage

BC Highway Patrol has put together an autumn vehicle and driving habit preparedness checklist to assist you:

Start by getting your vehicle serviced by your preferred auto service maintenance shop, alleviating potential breakdowns or problems occurring,
- Make sure all your lights, signals and brake lights are fully functional;
Give your car a good cleaning, inside and out,
- Consider applying water repelling products to the exterior glass to improve visibility;
Change old and dried windshield wipers with new, pliable wipers, especially important for areas that receive a lot of rain or wet snow;
Change your summer tires to winter ones, Mud and snow tires (M&S) are acceptable, but the best practice is specific winter tires. A winter tire has a snowflake embossed on its sidewall;
- Check your tires to ensure they are in good condition, have sufficient tread depth and are properly inflated;
- Winter tread (including M&S tires) are required in BC between October 1st and April 30th. Winter tires are recommended for the entire province, including BC’s south coast and greater Vancouver areas, as these types of tires are more affective in cooler, wet environments;
Before you head out on the road, clear all windows of fog/ice and snow,
- Spending a couple of extra moments clearing your car could potentially stop a crash from happening;
Consider using the vehicle’s air conditioning at a comfortable temperature so windows don’t fog up;
Turn your headlights to the ON position – this ensures your tail lights come on as well so you can be seen from behind;
Slow down and avoid cruise control on wet, snowy, and slippery road surfaces;
Increase the distance between you and vehicles ahead to give yourself more time to stop, especially if it is raining, snowing, foggy, or during the night time hours;
Adhere to or drive under the posted speed limit, especially in the variable speed zones where the speed may change as conditions deteriorate;

Photo of variable speed limit sign over highway displaying speed of 100 km/h

Be extra vigilant of cyclists and pedestrians who may be unpredictable and not clearly visible,
- Pay extra attention during the evening and night hours as pedestrian may still be out walking on sidewalks and pedestrian crossings;
Be mindful of slippery conditions at all times; and
Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.

Chief Superintendent Holly Turton, OIC of BC Highway Patrol, said We are quickly approaching the winter driving season when inclement weather can make driving on our roads more challenging. In order to do your part, motorists need to ensure they have appropriate winter tires, change their driving behaviour relative to road conditions, and adjust plans to allow for more time to arrive at a destination. If we all do our part, we can prevent crashes and make our highways safer together.

During the month of October, police will also be helping motorists prepare for winter in the form of conducting check stops across the province to ensure that motorists are safe and that their vehicles have been adequately prepared to handle variable winter conditions ahead. Through enhanced enforcement, police will also be ensuring that motorists are driving slowly and carefully when weather and road conditions deteriorate.

For more information, follow the links below:

BC Highway Patrol