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WorkSafeBC

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Safety Topics

 Winter Driving Safety

 

Shift into winter logo

The Cold War is back. Keep winter under surveillance. Don't know? Don't go.

Welcome to the Shift into Winter website. Here you will find resources and tips on how to stay safe on the road this winter, whether you drive as part of your job or for pleasure.

First - do you really need to go? Remember that every day thousands of BC workers risk being injured or killed while driving on the job. Driving in winter conditions can put you at even greater risk.

The best way to stay safe on the roads this winter is to avoid driving when road and weather conditions are bad. Even an hour or two can make a big difference. If you can, wait until the weather improves. If you have to drive, drive smart. Make sure your vehicle is winter ready, give yourself lots of extra time to get where you need to go and carry an emergency survival kit.

A few moments thinking about it now could save you problems when you are behind the wheel.

This week's tip.
Learn winter road skills. If you are unfamiliar with driving in snow and icy conditions and your job requires you to be behind the wheel, ask your employer for winter driving training. Through training and practice, learn how to brake safely, how to get out of a skid and how your vehicle handles in winter weather.

Here's what you can do to drive safely in winter conditions.

Resources for your Workplace

Here are some tips to help you and your team stay safe on the roads:

Listen to the Shift into Winter radio campaign
Radio spot #1 (30 sec)
Radio spot #2 (30 sec)

Other Related Information

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (BC Government)

Weather Warnings for British Columbia
Source: Environment Canada

ICBC Speed Relative to Conditions Campaign (videos)

video thumbnail When you slow down, you see more of the road - Clip 1
Demonstration - Clip 2
Demonstration - Clip 3

ICBC Driving Tips - Speed relative to conditions (video)

video thumbnail Driving Smart in Bad Weather, gives you important pointers on handling all these weather changes.

Cool Solution (video)

video thumbnail Truck News reports on a system to keep commercial trailer roofs free of snow and ice. (2 min 40s)
Source: Truck News

Your Guide To Safe, Efficient, Winter Driving: Equipment, Hazards, Techniques
This booklet has been prepared to assist commercial drivers and those drivers who share the road with them. It provides guidelines for safe driving through hazardous winter months.
Source: THSAO (Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario)

preventable.ca
Shifting Into Winter blog.

Winter Driving
Describes safety tips for you and your vehicle for winter driving.
Source: Transport Canada

Tips on Buying and Using Winter Tires

Progress Through Partnerships

video thumbnail The benefits of a multi-stakeholder approach to improving winter driving safety are discussed in a new video produced by the B.C. Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
Play Video (4 minutes)

This video was originally presented at the 2011 annual general meeting of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators. For more information on the CCMTA please visit: http://www.ccmta.ca/english/index.cfm. For more information on the OSMV please visit: http://www.pssq.gov.bc.ca/osmv/.

Articles

News Releases

Coquihalla Chain-Up Advisory for Commercial Drivers
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises that commercial drivers who do not or cannot chain up their vehicles properly at the Box Canyon chain-up zone on the Coquihalla (Highway 5) as required by conditions risk being turned around and/or having their vehicles towed at the carrier's expense. (PDF 53 KB)
Source: bctrucking.com

The province, ICBC and police launch campaign to remind drivers to adjust their speed on wet roads
ICBC news release, October 18, 2011
Source: ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia)

Community Support for Shift Into Winter

"I appreciate the work you and your partners have done on this winter information campaign. I love the visual impact of these posters, very B.C. and real. My primary role at the School District is Occupational Health and Safety for all our staff. I've been using the information and links on your web page to provide awareness to our 3000 employees to ensure we are ready to meet our service requirements in the K to 12 schools in Richmond. With the prediction on a severe winter this year, there has been lots of interest in being properly prepared, many of my site safety committee have been asking for this type of information. Your campaign is very timely has answered my need. Thanks again and please keep up the great work."

Gail Townsley, CRSP, Health and Safety Officer, School District #38 (Richmond)


The Winter Driving Safety Alliance Partners
Shift into Winter is a joint provincial initiative supported by organizations committed to improving the safety of drivers during the winter months.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Alliance, contact Joanna Wyatt at or (604) 970-3236.

 
 

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