(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Liam Verster

Be Safe Behind the Wheel

Road Safety at Work urges caution when traveling over the holidays

Dec 3, 2024 | 12:15 PM

A road safety advocate group is reminding drivers to be safe with holiday travels.

Road Safety at Work said there was an average of 800 car crashes in B.C. per day last December, which included a monthly total of 3,422 crashes in the Southern Interior.

ICBC data showed these incidents occurred in communities throughout the region, including:

• Kelowna – 696
• Kamloops – 459
• Vernon – 286
• Penticton – 145
• West Kelowna – 143
• Salmon Arm – 123
• Lake Country – 68
• Revelstoke – 50
• Summerland – 39
• Golden – 38
• Armstrong – 34
• Sicamous – 22
• Peachland – 22

To help reduce these incidents this winter, Road Safety at Work has a number of tips for motorists, such as

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• Avoid driving when conditions are poor
• Check road conditions and weather forecasts at DriveBC before getting behind the wheel
• Leave lots of space between vehicles to allow for more reaction time
• Use winter tires, even if in areas with little snow
• Avoid distractions and leave the phone alone
• Be fully rested before long drives
• Be extra cautious in busy parking lots, particularly after dark

“Rushing to your destination while driving might seem like a way to save time when you’ve got a lot to do, but it greatly increases the risk of a crash,” Trace Acres, program director for Road Safety at Work, said.

“Driving too fast for the conditions is one of the major contributors to winter crashes. Slowing down and giving yourself extra time is one of the best ways to help ensure you and your loved ones travel safely this holiday season.”