Road warning issued for Oceanside area
Oceanside drivers have yet to be involved in any serious automobile crashes since the snow started to fall, and RCMP Sergeant Darrell Robertson wants to keep it that way.
To that end, he urged motorists to take extra care when they get behind the wheel, now that roads are icy, snowy, slushy and slippery.
“We’ve had some minor incidents, but nothing major, a couple between here and Nanaimo,” he said. “People need to change their driving habits. On top of making sure your windshield is clear, you need to slow down. You can’t drive as though the conditions are the same as in the spring, summer or fall, because they’re not.”
Driving according to road conditions, he added, includes more than driving more slowly and allowing extra time to reach your destination, he said. It also means drivers leaving more room between their vehicle and the vehicle they’re following, in order to account for longer stopping distances on icy roads.
“The conditions are obviously going to dictate how a car handles,” Robertson said. “Make sure the car is warmed up, the windows are scraped and your tires are appropriate for the weather/. You also want to leave a little more distance.”
Not only your driving has to be on your mind on the roads right now, he added. Even though your vehicle could be in top condition and you’re doing everything right, if somebody else is having difficulties, it could end up involving more than just them and their car.
“You want to watch out for the other guy,” he said. “It might not be you. It could be the other guy. If someone loses control, it could put you in a position where you could be involved in an accident.”
news@pqbnews.com
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