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32 bca a .com winter 2015 (top to bottom) aurora Photos/alamy/all canada Photos, JuliaSV/masterfile, iStock The top three motorist mistakes that cause havoc on our winter roads BY roB Howatson Driver Error it ' s no secret that many B.C. drivers do poorly in the snow because they lack experience handling the white stuff. According to Ken Cousin, BCAA's Associate Vice-President of Road Assist, when the streets freeze in this province, particularly in the Lower Mainland where harsh winter driving conditions aren't common, unusual mistakes can be made by many motorists. Here are the top three driving mishaps that can cause difficulty on our roads, according to Cousin and BCAA's roadside assistance drivers. 1 excessive speed The posted speed limit is the suggested maximum. When weather conditions deteriorate, those speeds need to be reduced to ensure safety. And that means everybody. Many all-wheel-drive vehicle owners may have a false sense of security that their vehicle's state-of-the-art powertrains will ensure they get across any frozen road surface. Cousin notes that he's been towing these AWDs from ditches his entire career. 2 Lack of preparation To motorists who read the headlines about drought, El Niño and global warming and wonder if they can 'scrape' by this season without winter tires, the answer is yes. "But, why take the risk?" says Cousin, who warns that when temperatures fall below 7 degrees Celsius, all-season tires harden and lose their traction on icy roads. Instead, says Cousin, equip your car with four matching winter tires or at least consider a set of all-weather tires. Unlike all-season tires, all-weathers have an aggressive tread design and a rubber compound that stays flexible in cold temperatures. They also bear the mountain and snowflake symbol that deems them acceptable by B.C. laws as winter tires. Check your local municipality to see if winter tires are mandatory in your area. 3 Panic Even if your speed is appropriate for the conditions and your winter tires are brand new, there may still come that moment when you are suddenly not driving, but sliding. Your instinctive reaction may be to trounce on the brakes, and if the car starts to spin, to crank the steering wheel. Cousin says you need to fight that urge. Apply the brakes steadily, but stay calm. Steer into the direction of the skid, but don't keep that wheel cranked, because if your tires suddenly find dry pavement again, the car may flip. When driving during freezing temperatures, try to anticipate where black ice may be lurking. If it's safe to do so, change lanes to avoid freeze zones such as shady areas and reduce speed on slippery bridge decks. When it comes down to it, it's best not to drive at all in adverse weather. But if you must, proceed with caution and give yourself extra time to get to your destination safely. n Your BCAA Membership includes road trip interuption benefits. If an accident or vehicle breakdown disrupts your plans, BCAA covers select expenses. bcaa.com/membership TIP! roadside drive smart

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