Winter Driving Tips

VICTORIA -- When road conditions change, Police say as little as 3-kilometres an hour could be the difference between breaking safely, or skidding into a life changing accident.

"You imagine the watermelon here being a child that has run out on the street for example and all of this can be avoided when the roads are wet, icy, or snowy." Sgt. Glenn Vermette, head of the Victoria Police Traffic Enforcement Unit had his officers demonstrate speed to skid stopping distances on wet roads.

And the message is, slowdown.

"Give yourself lots of distance with the car in front of you so that if all of a sudden something happens you have the ability to stop before you have an impact."

ICBC in partnership with traffic enforcement departments from up and down the island rolled out their winter driving campaigns today.

"We've had the education aspect, now were going to go out and do the enforcement part" says Saanich Sgt. Mike Barkley.

While ICBC says speed related crashes and injuries increase 40 percent during the month of December.

"People need to realize it's a lot better to be ten minutes late than fifty years to early."

Today Calgary and surrounding areas received snow, while flurries on the island may not be far behind.

With snow in the forecast for this weekend everyone is asking the same question; do I really need winter tires? Well the answer is a resounding yes, and here's why says Tires Unlimited service technician Kevin Bermingham.

"This is your typical all season tire here, plenty of grooving, channels the water quite well but what were not seeing here in comparison to the winter tire is all these little grooves and what we call seeping. Look how soft that is, that's going to give your great traction in the winter. It's going to channel the water and give your biting traction and that's what you really need.

And if you can't afford to make the investment in winter tires, Police say double check the ones your vehicle is riding on, and most importantly, slow down.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• /A\ News
• Vancouver Island
• Channel 12
• Erin Glazier
• Victoria BC
• Winter
• driving
• tips

[livelifelifted92]

thanks for the all the winter driving tips mentioned in this video.

[sebberry]

Regardless of your speed, the watermellon could easily jump out too close for you to stop in time. I'm insulted that the police think I am that stupid of a driver that I would believe this crap.

[FINCaesar]

studded tires ftw. works brilliantly on ice and snow :>