Safe Driving Isn't About the Other Guy. Slow Down, and Shift Into Winter

KAMLOOPS, BC, Feb. 4 /CNW/ - When it comes to winter road conditions and safe driving, it's not about the other guy. It's about individual drivers taking responsibility for how we handle our vehicle in various weather and road conditions.

Commercial drivers, those who drive as their core work activity, and occupational drivers, those who spend some part of the workday driving in order to carry out their work activities, know this. Snow, ice and rain can create serious occupational hazards for workers such as delivery people, couriers, and taxi drivers, who are concerned about how dangerous their workplace can be during the winter months.

While many commercial and occupational drivers are confident in their abilities to drive in winter conditions, WorkSafeBC reports that motor vehicle incidents (MVIs) are one of the major causes of worker deaths. In B.C. 16 workers lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2008.

The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation says that slowing down to leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead, using winter tires and allowing more time to make your deliveries and appointments, are some common adjustments commercial and occupational drivers can make regarding winter weather.

The pressure to make delivery times also contributes to the risk of the driver. The foundation suggests employers make adjustments to schedules when weather conditions are hazardous and reduce this stress on their drivers.

While fleet employers and commercial drivers receive some information about safe winter driving from their company, they generally agree that driver training for winter conditions should be mandatory for all class 1 through 4 drivers, such as those who drive buses, dump trucks, tow trucks, and taxis.

Occupational drivers on the other hand receive little information about winter driving safety.

To help reduce the risk of occupational injury for those who drive for work, WorkSafeBC has developed winter safe driving fact and tip sheets. They are designed for distribution by employers to their staff and are available from the WorkSafeBC website at www.worksafebc.com.

For further information: Lennea Durant, Media Relations, BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]