Are you prepared to drive on wet roads after our dry summer?
It's time to shift mental gears and be ready for another season of less than ideal driving conditions. Many drivers try to blame their crashes on the weather, but a more truthful answer might be that the reason for the crash is failing to take the weather into account.
The crash rate in wet weather is highest immediately after a period of dry highways.
Contaminants deposited on the pavement surface during dry times may be spread into a slippery film when the rain starts. Extra care is required until the rain can wash these contaminants off of the pavement completely.
Hydroplaning is an ever-present danger on wet roads.
It is influenced by four things: tread depth, tire inflation pressure, speed and the depth of the water on the road surface. Drivers have complete control over the first three items and some control over the last.
Do your tire maintenance checks regularly and replace tires when required. Keep an eye out for water pooling or running across the roadway and slow down accordingly.
Wet weather also means poor conditions for driver vision. Replace your windshield wipers at the first sign that they are not doing the job of clearing the glass properly.
Also, make sure your washer reservoir is filled with the appropriate cleaning fluid for the season.
For more information on this topic, visit www.drivesmartbc.ca. Questions or comments are welcome by e-mail to comments@drivesmartbc.ca. Tim Schewe is a retired RCMP constable with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. His column appears Friday.