In a recent ICBC survey, 71% of Vancouver Island respondents said they prepared their vehicles for winter conditions by installing winter tires.
The survey indicates that over one-third (38%) of all respondents across British Columbia observed a crash caused by winter conditions last winter.
Furthermore, 21% of participants experienced a near miss or a close call while driving in similar conditions.
As winter weather sweeps across the island, ICBC and the police are urging Island drivers to adapt their driving to the prevailing conditions.
During inclement weather, it’s crucial to reduce speed, extend your following distance, and allocate additional travel time.
Statistics show a 31% increase in crashes caused by drivers going too fast for the conditions on Vancouver Island in January compared to October.
The survey utilized an ICBC industry panel, gathering over 1,400 responses. ICBC stated in a release that 80% of respondents across the province indicated that they had equipped their vehicles with winter tires.
Based on police data derived from a five-year annual average spanning from 2018 to 2022, it has been observed that crashes attributed to driving too fast for the conditions surge by 31% in January on Vancouver Island in comparison to October, with reported figures at 38 crashes in January versus 29 in October.
The broader context within British Columbia reveals a more substantial increase, as crashes stemming from driving too fast for the conditions spike by 91% in January compared to October, registering 294 crashes in January as opposed to 154 in October.
The survey revealed that the respondents’ top concerns were about icy roads (78%), freezing rain (58%), and reduced visibility (35%).
Regarding human factors, the majority were worried about other drivers not adapting to winter conditions (73%), drivers lacking proficiency in snow and ice driving (71%), and encountering inconsiderate or aggressive drivers (46%).
Is your vehicle winter ready? Let us know in the comment section below!
