May 15, 2014 | News
Whether you’re heading out for a camping trip or visiting family, the B.C. government, police and ICBC are asking you to give yourself plenty of time and focus on the road this long weekend.
Every year over the May long weekend, an average of two people are killed and 490 injured in 1,700 crashes throughout B.C.
Police will be targeting all high-risk driving behaviours this long weekend including failing to yield, speeding, following too closely and ignoring a traffic control device, as part of this month’s high-risk driving campaign. These driving behaviours contribute to almost half (44 per cent) of all police-reported crashes that result in injuries or fatalities on our roads.
ICBC tips:
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Think ahead: If you’ll be taking a road trip, check the road and weather conditions for your entire trip at drivebc.ca before you head out. Even if the roads look clear, be realistic about your travel times since there will be more vehicles on our highways. Plan rest stops every couple of hours to avoid becoming fatigued while driving.
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Get your vehicle ready: Long trips can be hard on your vehicle, so make sure it’s up to the drive. It’s a great time of year to give your vehicle a good check-up. Remember to check your engine oil, washer fluid and lights. Take a look at your tires too, including the spare, to make sure they are in good condition and properly inflated.
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Watch out for vulnerable road users: Warmer spring weather encourages more motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians on our roads. We all need to share our roads together safely. As a driver, we have a particular responsibility to help keep vulnerable road users safe so actively watch for other road users and make eye contact with them so they know that you see them.
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Keep your distance: Whether you’re going on a long or short trip, always maintain a safe travelling distance between vehicles. Allow at least two seconds of following distance in good weather and road conditions, and at least three seconds on high-speed roads or if you’re behind a motorcycle since it has a much shorter stopping distance.
For more tips, please visit icbc.com/road-safety.
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Nov 5, 2013 | News
Your commute home will be extra risky over the next two weeks, as drivers adjust to the end of daylight savings time and changes in their sleeping patterns and driving conditions.
The Insurance Corporation of BC historically sees a 16 per cent increase in the average number of crashes in B.C. during the late afternoon commute in the two weeks following the end of Daylight Savings Time, compared to the two weeks prior to the change.
The biggest impacts can be felt on some of the key skills that affect the quality of our driving – concentration, alertness behind the wheel and reaction time to potential hazards.
“Safety is our top priority, which is why we’re asking drivers to recognize that the effect of the time change combined with increasingly challenging road conditions can increase your chances of being in a crash,” said Todd Stone, the BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Make sure you’re well rested, give yourself plenty of time and focus your full attention on the road.”
“Drowsy driving is actually one of the leading causes [of accidents] in North America. It’s very much akin to regular impairment,” said Liz Peters of CAA Manitoba. “It’s like drinking and driving. You’re not focusing on the road in front of you.”
While the fall time change means we can get an extra hour of sleep, according to an ICBC survey, 30 per cent of drivers overcompensate for that extra hour by staying up later and therefore losing any potential benefit of the extra rest.
“We rationalize that extra hour of sleep – many of us think that we can stay awake longer, but we actually end up feeling more tired and less alert,” said Dr. John Vavrik, a psychologist with ICBC. “The time change is an opportunity to get some extra rest and it’s also a good time to think about how we can adjust our driving to the fall and winter road conditions.”
Another study from two researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 2007, found that daylight time has a significant impact on the number of pedestrians killed by vehicles in the immediate aftermath of the time switch in the fall.
People walking during rush hour in the first few weeks after the clocks fall back in the autumn were more than three times as likely to be fatally struck by cars than before the change. There was no significant difference at noon, but there was around 6 p.m.
Here are some tips from ICBC to help you adjust to the time change:
- In darker, poor conditions, visibility is significantly reduced making it difficult to see pedestrians and cyclists on our roads. That’s why it’s important to give yourself extra time so you aren’t rushing and adjust your speed to the conditions you encounter. Always be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists – especially at intersections and near transit stops where pedestrians will be coming and going and may not use crosswalks.
- Prepare your vehicle for the change in weather. Clean your vehicle’s headlights and check that they’re all working properly, especially your rear lights. Make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid and that your wipers are in good condition.
- Keep your regular sleep/wake cycle. Go to bed at the same time you normally would so you can benefit from that extra hour of sleep. Don’t assume you are more rested and alert on the road the mornings following the change as the time change can impact the quality of your sleep and affect your body’s internal clock.
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Oct 31, 2013 | News
With trick-or-treaters knocking on doors on tonight and Halloween parties this weekend, drivers are being asked to be extra cautious on the roads and parents are reminded to make a plan to help their children stay safe this Halloween.
“As a parent myself, I know how excited children are about trick-or-treating and their safety on the road may not be top of mind for them,” said Todd Stone, BC’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “That’s why the onus is on us as parents, and as drivers, to make sure children have a fun and safe Halloween.”
“Kids love to have fun on Halloween, and that can mean popping out from behind bushes to scare their friends or wearing the dark costumes of their favourite characters,” said Suzanne Anton, BC’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “While this is what makes the night memorable, it’s also what can make them disappear from sight for drivers on the road. Parents can add reflective stickers to their child’s candy bag and drivers should be sure to go very slow, especially through residential neighbourhoods.”
Here are ICBC’s tips for parents and drivers to stay safe:
Tips for parents:
- Dress to be seen: Halloween is about putting on spooky outfits – but that often involves dark colours. A good solution is to buy reflective tape that you can add to the outfit or even to children’s shoes or bags to help them stand out against the dark road.
- The best ghouls see everything: Masks are a key part of many Halloween costumes but it’s important that it doesn’t hinder your child’s ability to see what’s going on around them. Put the mask over your own face to check the visibility and make any necessary adjustments.
- The best ghouls hear everything too: Hearing is just as important as seeing when it comes to safety around roads. Remind your children not to use their cellphone or listen to their iPod.
- Safety in numbers: Walk in numbers to help drivers and others see you and your children. Be sure to have an appropriate number of adults to accompany the children.
- Gone haunting: If your kids are heading out for some trick-or-treating fun without you, help them plan a safe route ahead of time. Consider a route that takes them through a quiet residential area away from busy main roads and parking lots. Remind them to cross streets at designated crossing points.
Tips for drivers:
- A fright’s just around the corner: Drivers need to slow down and expect the unexpected. Children are likely caught up in the excitement of Halloween and may forget the rules of the road, so slow down and be especially alert in residential areas. Limit any distractions in your car so you can focus your full attention on the road.
- The ghouls may not notice you: Children may have very limited visibility while wearing masks and costumes so don’t assume they see you approaching. Always yield to pedestrians – by doing so, you help ensure they cross the road safely.
- Beware of those dark alleys: Surprises often lurk in the darkest of places so enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. Watch for little trick-or-treaters when backing up.
- Don’t end on a true scare: If you’re hosting or attending a Halloween party, always make sure there are options for everyone to get home safely, such as designated drivers, transit or taxi numbers on hand.
For more road safety tips, visit icbc.com/road-safety.
Learn more about ILScorp’s ICBC Autoplan Courses for insurance agents.
