Many Island drivers haven’t seen much snow, so it might be time to recall some driving pointers.
While cold-weather tires aren’t mandatory everywhere, ICBC does advise at least having M+S (mud and snow) tires and a weather-equipped vehicle when driving in the snow—that’s right, oldsters, leave your sports activities automobiles at home.
Before you hit the road, Victoria Police are asking drivers to clean off their cars of snow. While using, immoderate snow can slide off your vehicle and beat others. ICBC’s most large tip for when you hit the roads is to power slow, reminding drivers that posted velocity signs are for best weather situations.
“The key to using iciness is to be gradual and steady—avoid surprising, unexpected actions that might motivate you to skid. That way, you should accelerate lightly, steer and flip slowly and gradually, and brake slowly and early,” said ICBC Media spokesperson Lindsay Wilkins in an email.
“Anticipate turns, stops, and lane changes well in advance. Use low-beam lighting fixtures, and don’t use cruise control on slippery roads.
“You ought to also be aware of the variations between the usage of general and anti-lock brakes (ABS). For big brakes, pump them lightly; for ABS, apply steady pressure, and you’ll experience the brakes pulse (that is normal).”
In other words, if there’s snow on the roads, you’ve got a hot pot of gravy in your lap, and that’s, in all likelihood, a safe speed. Always give your neighbor a secure amount of distance.
If you need to speed up or slow down, feel that the gasoline pedal and brake are very delicate—tap them lightly and quickly if they’re well-known brakes. For ABS, there is much less pumping and extra slow, constant strain. The same goes for your gasoline pedal. Do not slam on your brakes. Do not step on the fuel, particularly in case you start sliding.
Keep control of your steering wheel and avoid sharp turns, just in case you hit a patch of black ice.
“Black ice is not possible to see ahead of time. That’s why it’s essential to gradually down and maintain your distance from different vehicles,” Wilkins stated. If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator and appearance and steer easily within the route you need to move. Be cautious, no longer over-steer, and don’t break—this can worsen the scenario. You must also repeat this maneuver numerous times until you regain control.”
ICBC warns that the maximum commonplace places for black ice include shaded regions, bridges, overpasses, and intersections in which packed snow and automobile exhaust freeze fast.
When using slush, ICBC recommends watching out for ridges of increase and advising that humans wait for a definite location before making any lane modifications.
If you get caught, ICBC recommends clearing the snow around your tires and placing something in front of them to gain traction, including old mats, carpets, salt, sand, or cat clutter. Then, rock from side to side to get a greater distance until you can circulate. If that doesn’t work, you may call roadside assistance or 911 if it’s an emergency.
