Driving a vehicle safely is part of an ongoing commitment to good safety culture both in, and outside the workplace.
When looking at driving speeds, it is important to understand that you need to adjust your speed relative to the driving conditions. Adjusting your speed to adapt to the current road conditions enables you to drive in almost all types of weather conditions throughout Canada.
Your focus while driving is very important. Distractions such as cell phones, being tired, the pressure of production schedules and stress all affect your ability to be fully aware of your surroundings and effectively assess the correct speed for the current conditions.
Knowing that you may experience hydroplaning in wet weather, slip on icy roads or get stuck in deep snow allows you to think about what adjustments you may need to make. Vehicle weight and tires also play a big part in deciding what adjustments to make. Knowing what your tires are made for and that your vehicle weight impacts how much traction the vehicle has, is critical for making these decisions.
In summer conditions, driving at the posted speed limit is usually quite easy. Some weather conditions may require you to slow down such as heavy rainfall, high winds or fog. Rain will also affect your stopping distance, and therefore, a greater following distance to the vehicle in front of you is highly recommended.
Once winter arrives, there are more adverse conditions that can affect your traction and require you to slow down. Snow-covered roads will have slippery sections and you’ll need to adjust your driving speed and slow down for those sections. A winter tire (unlike 3-season tires) is designed so that the snow collects in the grooves (sipes) and sticks to the snow it is rolling over (like building a snowman) - giving it grip. The rubber part of the tire is made to connect with the harder surfaces - either ice or cold pavement. Plan ahead by getting winter tires installed on or before the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s deadline of October 1st.
So in the interest of self-preservation and perhaps avoiding a visit to your local repair shop - it’s important to be self-aware and consider your speed based on what type of road you’re on and the weather conditions that you’re driving in. In the end, the goal is to keep it between the lines and keep the shiny side up.
Other resources
Article original publication
BC Forest Safety Council, Forest Safety News, October 2019.