It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We’re now less than a week away from the big day. Of course, the holiday season is a time for joy, gatherings and celebrations. Do you plan on attending a company holiday party, visiting family or having a night out with friends? Naturally, this season brings plenty of reasons to be on the road.
However, winter weather in the Greater Vancouver Area can pose serious challenges for drivers. Rain, snow, ice and fog can all make holiday travel hazardous. When combined with the festive mood, it can sometimes lead to impaired driving. As always, staying safe on the road should be a top priority.
Mind the slick roads during rainy conditions.
Rain is common in Vancouver during the winter months. Of course, rainy weather can significantly reduce visibility and make roads slippery. It should go without saying, but slow down! Wet roads can double stopping distances. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to react.
As well, always maintain a safe following distance. This should be practiced all the time. But, when it’s raining, increase the space between you and the vehicle in front to avoid sudden braking incidents. Also, check your wipers. Functional windshield wipers are essential to keep rain off your windows so that you can maintain visibility.
Carefully navigate snowy and icy roads.
Snowfall may be less frequent in Vancouver compared to other parts of Canada. But, of course, it still happens. As you know, snow and ice make roads particularly treacherous. They combine to reduce traction. Here’s hoping you already have your winter tires on! They provide much better traction with the road. Drive slowly and gently as well. Be careful to accelerate and decelerate slowly to avoid skidding.
Don’t forget to look out for black ice! “If you drive over black ice and your vehicle starts to skid, ease off the accelerator, and look and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go,” instructs ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia), “Don’t brake — this will make the situation worse! You may need to repeat this manoeuvre several times until you regain control.”
Be vigilant in foggy weather.
Fog is another frequent visitor to our region during the cooler months. It can drastically reduce visibility, creating dangerous conditions on the road. First things first, stick with your low beam lights. We know it’s instinctive to want more light when it’s hard to see. However, high beams can reflect off the fog and reduce visibility even further.
Keep an eye out for road markings and follow them carefully to ensure you stay in your lane. By all means, reduce your speed too. It’s important to drive cautiously and give yourself time to react to any obstacles.
Beware of holiday fatigue.
The hustle and bustle of holiday gatherings can leave drivers feeling fatigued. Let’s be clear – tired driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving! According to the Canadian Association of Road Safety Professionals (CARSP), “multiple studies indicate that drowsiness is a major behavioural contributory factor to road trauma. Drowsiness is identified as a primary cause of road crashes for an average of 20% of all crashes in developed countries.”
If you’re either inebriated or just plain tired after your next holiday party, do not get behind the wheel. In addition, don’t let poor weather conditions put a damper on your festivities. You can enjoy every moment without worry, knowing that MyDDride’s professional team is available to get you home safely in your own car. Call or text us at 604-283-8532 to book your safe ride home this holiday season. You may also fill out the form on our Contact page!