Highway Information
YVR
Weather
Fire Rating
Rubber side down
Pique's guide to winter driving
Page 8 of 8
Even if you have winter tires it doesn't hurt to bring a set of chains along for extreme conditions. A shovel can be useful digging out a car, as can a bag of road salt, sand or kitty litter. You can also buy traction mats, and in a pinch you can use the floor mats from your vehicle.
Plows Snow plows are a common sight on B.C. highways during the winter. The drivers work long shifts, and are often focused on their snowplow blades and won't notice vehicles passing on the side. DriveSmart BC gives the following advice driving around plows:
- Give plows space as plow drivers have restricted vision. Passing is not recommended in any circumstances, but if you have to then use extreme caution and be aware of the snow cloud — maybe start your wipers before you pass so you don't lose visibility as much.
- Sometimes plows will be dumping gravel and salt on the road. Don't follow too closely, or you could wind up with a chipped windshield.
- When passing on the left, be aware of an additional blade that may extend from the side and may be hidden by the snow.
- Never drive between two plows. They could be working together in that section (e.g. the plow on the left is clearing the left lane, and the plow on the right is clearing snow from the right lane and any snow thrown from the left lane.
Speed — When it's snowing or conditions are poor, the speed limit ceases to matter. While in most cases it's a judgment call, you must reduce your speed and increase your following distance (the Ministry of Transportation recommends a minimum of four seconds between vehicles in winter conditions). The "Speed Relative to Conditions" fine is $167 and three penalty points. "Follow too closely" carries a fine of $109 and three points.
-
June 17, 2013, 5:00 PM
Whistler Blackcomb Foundation donates $300,000 to Centrepoint complex
Social services, church and housing being built by Sea to Sky Community Service and United Church More...
-
June 17, 2013, 11:15 AM
Whistler Farmer's Market sees busy first day of operations
Market opens with vendor numbers at maximum More...
-
June 16, 2013, 12:30 AM
Neal Kindree takes Test of Metal win
67-kilometre mountain bike race sees 871 racers at the start More...
Latest in Feature Story
-
A wild hike in China
- Jun 16, 2013
-
The price of power
- Jun 16, 2013
-
Thinking outside the Bubble
Whistler locals reaching out beyond the valley to help change the world
- Jun 16, 2013
- More »
