North District RCMP and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia are urging drivers to take care as they head out onto the highways this Labour Day long weekend.
Last year, 16 people were injured in 120 crashes in North Central B.C. over the three-day span, according to ICBC.
North District RCMP, meanwhile, said Mounties in the Central Interior had been called to five crashes over the previous week that yielded a combined total of 17 injuries serious enough to send people to hospital.
And while the investigations continue, police believe driving without due care and attention was a significant factor in the incidents and are asking drivers to make sure they are well-rested and focused before they take to the road.
ICBC, meanwhile, offered the following tips to stay safe:
- Do a pre-trip check of your engine oil, coolant levels and lights, and inspect your vehicle tires, including the spare, to make sure they're in good condition and properly inflated. Make sure any camping or outdoor equipment is securely tied down to your vehicle before you take off.
- Plan your route by checking drivebc.ca to view weather and road conditions for major routes throughout B.C.
- Eliminate distractions by turning off your cellphone before you head out or put it in the trunk so you won't be tempted to answer if it rings. Help keep your family and friends safe by not texting, calling or answering if you know someone is behind the wheel.
- Keep your distance by allowing at least two seconds of following distance between vehicles in good road conditions, and at least three seconds on high-speed roads. Increase your distance when you're following a large vehicle such as an RV (it can block your vision) or a motorcycle (it can stop quicker than a car).
- Speaking of RVs, if you're driving in mountainous areas, you may find that many RVs are going below the speed limit because they may be underpowered and overloaded. Be patient with these drivers as they are likely going uphill as fast as they can.
If you're driving your RV, be courteous and pull over to let others by if you're holding up traffic. This is much safer than a driver making an unsafe pass out of frustration.
