The seemingly endless summer has finally come to a close and Central Saanich police are warning Peninsula residents that wet road conditions could cause an upswing in vehicle related accidents.
“When rain comes after a long dry period, (we often find) there is a sharp increase in collisions on our roads,” said Cpl. Janis Jean of the Central Saanich police.
Jean said drivers should take caution when out and about in the rain because build up of oils on the roadways over long dry periods can cause slicker-than-usual conditions.
“The first rains loosen these greasy materials, and can create an oily slick surface on roads,” she said.
Jean offered some driving tips for hitting the streets during the first rainy periods of the fall weather:
• Take your time and leave 10 minutes early.
• Give yourself extra stopping distance between your car and the car ahead of you.
• Drive slowly and stay focused on the road ahead of and around you.
• Keep your tires well maintained for the best possible traction.
• Invest in good quality windshield wipers.
• Turn on your lights at all times in low-visibility conditions.
If you do end up in a skid, Jean offered a few tips for stopping safely:
• As hard as it seems — try and stay calm.
• Steer gently into the skid and stop accelerating, which will allow the car to find the road.
• If you do not have antilock brakes, pump your brakes once the car has found the road again.
For more safety tips on driving in fall and winter weather, visit icbc.com/road-safety.
— With files from Central Saanich Police Service