Driving Safely in High Wind Conditions
On B.C.’s wet coast, drivers can experience all types of road and weather conditions; heavy rain, fog, poor visibility, lack of daylight, snow & ice, and even high winds. The weather is unpredictable and driving in any of these conditions can be scary so here’s a few actions & road safety tips to plan for safe travels. Be prepared for whatever weather throws your way!
Before you go, check the current road conditions and weather forecast.
Check radio or TV reports and always visit Drive BC | www.drivebc.ca for the latest updates. Ask yourself – is it safe to go?
Travelling on BC Ferries?
For the current conditions, visit bcferries.com or check @BCFerries on Twitter.
Keep a firm grip on the wheel.
Strong wind gusts are unpredictable and can be strong enough to cause the steering wheel to jerk out of your hands.
Look ahead and watch for debris on the road.
Drive with caution, and to the conditions ~ high winds can even cause debris to be thrown directly into your path.
Be prepared for sudden changes in wind strength when passing wind-blocking structures
like underpasses, buildings, or next to large vehicles. The sudden absence of wind can surprise you, causing you to suddenly over steer against the direction the wind had been coming from and lose control.
Watch out for other dangerous weather up the road.
Strong winds can be an indication of other adverse weather, so be alert to deal with possible harsher road conditions. Be proactive and listen to local weather updates on your radio.
Avoid using cruise control
So that you can better manage your vehicle’s speed.
Leave yourself plenty of space
When travelling alongside larger vehicles like buses or semi-trucks. The wind has more room to push harder on large vehicles, which increases the difficulty of handling these types of vehicles.
Consider pulling over and waiting.
If you’re driving a large vehicle like a van, pick-up truck with canopy or pulling a trailer and encounter a storm with high winds, try to find a safe place to pull over and wait for the storm to blow over.
Never try to approach or drive across a down power line.
Remain at least three metres (10 feet away) from power lines. That means above, below, and beside.
During a windstorm, Mainroad crews will be patrolling Service Area highways for down trees and vegetation on the road however it will take some time to clear a down power line so check DriveBC for updates. Mainroad will coordinate with BC Hydro to determine when the area is safe. Call 911 to immediately report a fallen power line. Avoid touching anything, such as a car, object or equipment, or anyone who is in contact with a fallen power line. Keep children and pets away from fallen electric lines.
For more winter driving tips visit www.shiftintowinter.ca