Drive With Care This Long Weekend
Saturday, October 12, 2013 @ 4:03 AM
Prince George, B.C. – The Thanksgiving weekend means travel for many British Columbians who get together with family and friends to celebrate the arrival of fall.
S/Sgt McTiernan says “our officers will be out this long weekend to ensure the highways are safe and to enforce the traffic laws regarding speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving and all other infractions. The reality of it is, if you don’t abide by the provincial laws you may be faced with dealing with another law and that’s the law of physics. If the roads get slippery and you don’t slow down you may end up with your vehicle in the ditch.”
Another change-of-season reminder concerns wildlife. Many animals are on the move seeking food to build up their fat.html)
reserves to help them make it through the approaching winter. McTiernan says “I think it’s something we’re very comfortable in the summertime, but nearing winter they start to get closer to the roads. If we have circumstances where salt goes down to accommodate frost and ice, they’re going to be near the road edge so we see them more frequently around the highways. Drivers need to be aware that’s one reason why the police want them to slow down, because we see an increase in wildlife next to the highways and you need that extra time to perceive that hazard and then to stop or swerve around them.”
He also makes another key point. “Many motorists think about flashing their headlights at oncoming traffic to let them know there’s wildlife on the roads. We’ve run into occasions where people have flashed their high beams at an oncoming car to warn them about wildlife on the highway and in fact what they do is blind the oncoming driver to that wildlife. So keep in mind what you’re doing. You may want to put your four-way flashers on to warn about wildlife on the road. But keep in mind that the wildlife is out there. They’re getting ready to go down for the winter and they’re moving around. But if you strike wildlife at highway speeds they can cause a lot of damage and injury.”
McTiernan says it’s time for people to start thinking about winter travel as well. “They want to make sure they have blankets and refreshments in the vehicle so that if you find yourself in a circumstance where you are going to be on the highway for long hours that you have what you need in the car to keep both warm, with food and drink, and that you’re able to withstand any conditions until somebody can get to you.”
“There are places in the province right now where we’re seeing snow. The Coquihalla has had snow already and people transitioning through those different areas and conditions need to have their vehicle properly prepared so they have a safe trip.”
Comments
Yous r good speller….
Yew to mittle finnger!
Maybe he was texting while driving! ;)
Seen a lady the other day almost rear end somebody because she is soooooo important she needs to talk on her little toy while driving. People are so addicted to their little devices it is actually really sad where society is heading or should I say at when it comes to this behaviour. Put it away people and if you can’t seek help because you have a problem. Don’t make it someone else’s problem!
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