Over the years, winter weather has made for difficult driving for Prince George motorists. Sift through the more than three dozen accidents captured by Citizen photographers in the photo gallery above.
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia urges caution on snowy, slippery roads that offer challenging conditions to even experienced drivers.
Here are ICBC's tips for driving in wintry conditions:
Hydroplaning
If you find yourself hydroplaning, ease off the accelerator and keep steering in the direction you want to go. Avoid braking.
Black ice
Black ice is commonly found on roads with shaded areas, bridges, overpasses and intersections where car exhaust and packed snow freeze quickly.
If you drive over black ice and start to skid, ease off the accelerator, and look and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go. Don't brake--this will make the situation worse. You may need to repeat this manoeuvre several times until you regain control.
Adjust for conditions
Potholes can be another hazard during cold and wet weather. For all types of winter hazards, remember two key tips: reduce your speed and increase your following distance. The more time you have to react to any hazard the better.
Speed-related crashes causing injuries and deaths take a 110-per-cent jump in the north-central region between November to January compared to the rest of the year, according to ICBC numbers.
An ICBC survey found almost four in 10 felt less confident driving during the winter and seven in 10 feel less safe and frustrated by other drivers.
Other good practices include choosing good winter tires, considering alternatives to driving like carpooling or public transit, checking tire pressure often, making sure all the snow is off your car, headlights and wheel wells and checking headlights whenever visibility is poor.
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