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AUTOMOTIVE 28 BCA A .COM WINTER 2018 iStock more, says Miller. Use your vehicle's visors and invest in a good pair of polarized sunglasses, he adds. Better yet, plan out your route before you leave to minimize time spent driving directly into the sun. Slush and black ice BC's winter temperatures can be warmer on average than other provinces, hovering around 0°C for longer. This means our roads often sit right at the freeze-thaw point, which can be even more slippery than driving in a total deep freeze. "I think a lot of people don't realize how treacherous a slushy road can be," says Miller. "Icy water at –1°C can be very dangerous." As can black ice: "I see a lot of vehicles sliding off the road on sunny days as they're going into a shaded area. The pavement looks dry, and then they go into a corner where there's a tree that has shaded the road all morning, and there's ice." To cope, maximize rubber traction. "Winter tires are designed to work really well from 7°C and down," says Miller. "I think some people feel that because we don't always get a lot of snow, like Alberta or Saskatchewan, we don't need winter tires, but they're for cold temperatures, snow or not." When temperatures are around the freezing point, reduce speed – potentially below the speed limit if conditions demand – and increase your following distance, he adds. Keep an eye out for shady spots and bridges, which defrost slowly. If you start to MEMBERS SAVE It's not too late to get your car ready for winter! BCAA Members get exclusive savings, a two-year warranty and a FREE car wash with every service at BCAA Auto Service Centres. bcaa.com/autoservice slide, gently take your foot off the accelerator. Keep your eyes trained in the direction you want to go, even if you're spinning, and steer gently until you regain traction. Fog This low-lying cloud forms in times of high humidity, when moisture becomes suspended in the air. If you encounter it on the road, the best thing you can do is slow down – way down. If you have fog lights, switch them on. They shine at an angle that cuts reflection. "Fog lights not only help you see, but they'll help others see you," says Miller. Maintain a safe following distance, too. "As long as you can see the tail lights in front of you, keep that distance." Wind When strong winds whip up during winter storms, they can blow down trees and signs, and scatter debris onto the road. Again, slow down, says Miller, giving yourself more time to stop if you encounter a foreign object in the road. Downed utility poles are especially dangerous. If you come across one, BC Hydro recommends staying at least 10 metres away and calling 911. Use caution when passing semi-trucks, RVs and other large vehicles in windy weather, too, and allow them extra room. They have more surface area for the wind to push on, making them more prone to swerving. If you're driving a large vehicle like a van, RV or pickup with large trailer, consider pulling over and waiting for the gusts to die down. ■ (above) Winter winds can fell trees into roads; (right) BC is no stranger to roads caked in slippery slush.

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