Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
On Oct. 19, vehicles were stopped on Stuart Drive in Fort St. James in preparation for the winter months.
“It’s all about raising awareness regarding winter driving safety,” said Doug Mac Donald, road safety Coodinator for ICBC.
“It’s also an opportunity to check tires and make people aware of the importance of having them on every vehicle in BC.”
Winter tires are required in BC on many rural highways and high-mountain passes in the Interior, North and Vancouver Island.
BC is one of three provinces in Canada that define a winter tire and specify where their use is required.
According to BC’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, both the mountain snowflake and M+S tires meet the requirements for winter tires in BC.
The Ministry and the RCMP recommend that regular travellers on BC’S winter highways equip their cars and light trucks with the mountain snowflake tire, which is the best tire available.
M+S tires are a viable and safe option for motorists who plan their trips to coincide with periods of better weather and are prepared to drive with added care and caution during wintery conditions.
To be considered a winter tire, an M+S or a mountain snowflake tire must also have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth across the whole tire.
It’s also important to give your vehicle a check-up and equip your vehicle with a winter survival kit,” Mac Donald said.
Drivesafebc says that checkups include making sure the battery, brakes, lights, fuses, cooling/heating systems, exhaust/electrical systems, belts and hoses are all in good shape.
A survival kit can include items such as: blankets, first aid supplies, extra batteries, windshield scraper, a flashlight and battery jumper cables.
“We’ve had excellent feedback today,” Mac Donald said as he continued to handout bags filled with important information and goodies for local drivers and to those just passing through town.
“Everyone’s been very cooperative from drivers in transport trucks to those in their own personal vehicles.”
The road stop was a joint venture conducted by: the RCMP, the Ministry of Transportation, CVSC and ICBC.
Before heading out in wintery conditions visit: DriveBC.ca for current road conditions.
And visit: ShifttoWinter.ca for tips on ways to prepare yourself, your vehicle and how to drive safely on winter roads.