Take care when you head out onto the province's roads and highways over the Easter long weekend.
Across B.C. an average of three people are killed and 670 injured in 2,300 crashes in that time period, according to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. In the North Central Interior, the count is 17 people injured in 130 crashes.
"Whether you're driving across town or across the province this weekend, please do so safely," said Lindsay Matthews, director responsible for road safety at ICBC.
"Watch your speed and leave your phone alone to help reduce crashes on our roads."
Here are some further tips for a safe drive:
Plan ahead: Before you set off, map your route, including rest breaks every two hours, and check road and weather conditions at drivebc.ca. Anticipate increased traffic over the long weekend so you're realistic about travel times.
Drive relative to conditions: Posted speed limits are for ideal conditions only. Many areas of the province may still experience variable conditions at this time of year. If driving on wet or icy roads or in fog or heavy rain, adjust your speed to the conditions and increase your following distance.
Maintain your vehicle: Whether or not you're taking a road trip over Easter, your vehicle could probably use a tune-up this spring. If you have winter tires, swap them for all-seasons in at least good condition and ensure they're properly inflated. Change your wiper fluid if you were using an anti-freeze solution and replace your wiper blades if they are worn, cracked or rigid.
Share the road: With the weather warming up, you may see more motorcycles on the road. Allow at least three seconds following distance if you're behind a motorcycle on high-speed roads as they have a much shorter stopping distance.
