The first long weekend of the summer travel season has come and gone; but ICBC wants to remind drivers to slow down and take care as the province’s highways and roads get busier, and to keep motorcyclists safe by sharing the road.
Crashes and injuries increase on long weekends and throughout the summer because of many factors, such as unsafe speeds and drivers following too closely behind other vehicles.
Wildlife is also more active during the summer months, particularly at dawn and dusk, leading to more collisions (as well as potential bottlenecks when drivers slow down or stop to view the wildlife).
ICBC has several tips to keep drivers safe throughout the summer. These include:
Let others into your lane. Don’t speed up when someone is trying to pass you. Instead, slow down and make room for the other driver to get into your lane.
Slow down. Posted speed limits are intended for ideal conditions. On uneven and wet roads, or in bad weather, slow down and increase your following distance to at least four seconds.
Plan ahead. Plan your route in advance so that you know what to expect and do not have to rush. Also, be realistic about your travel time, and be patient and accept any delays.
Scan the road, especially intersections. The majority of crashes involving pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists happen in intersections, so approach them cautiously. When highway driving in rural areas, scan the roadside ahead for any wildlife that might suddenly dart into your path.
Watch for other road users. As the weather improves and the days get longer, more pedestrians and cyclists will be using the roads. Pay extra attention to other, non-vehicle road users.
Leave your phone alone. If you must make or receive a call or text while driving, pull over where it is safe to do so and keep the message brief.
It is illegal to use a handheld device when you are stopped at a red light. Before re-entering traffic, make sure you are focussed on driving, not on the call or text you just had.
Better weather also means motorcyclists are back on the roads. ICBC says that 60 per cent of motorcycle crashes in B.C. involve other vehicles, so they urge everyone to share the roads and be aware.
Last year in the province, 1,600 motorcyclists were injured in 2,600 crashes.
In the Southern Interior last year, 330 motorcyclists were injured in 440 crashes, and on average 11 motorcyclists are killed in crashes in the region each year.
Tips for drivers include giving extra space when passing a motorcycle, and allowing at least three seconds of following distance when you are behind one; scanning intersections carefully and taking care when turning left in front of a motorcycle, as it can be difficult to judge how fast they are travelling; and sharing the road with motorcycles. If in doubt about who has the right-of-way, yield to the motorcycle.
Tips for riders include wearing all the gear, all the time, and making sure the gear meets safety standards; being bright and visible; manoeuvring safely through intersections by slowing down and adjusting your lane position; and not assuming that a driver has seen you. They may not accurately judge your distance or speed of approach (and try to stay out of drivers’ blind spots).