Coping with snow and slush when driving in winter

When it comes to winter in the "warmer" areas of British Columbia, I don't think anyone does a better job of making fun of bad drivers than Victoria Times Colonist cartoonist Adrian Raeside.

The trouble is, it's not so funny when you have to share the roads with them. Many continue to drive in the snow and slush as if it is a warm, sunny and dry afternoon.

I once found myself driving home in a heavy snowfall, with a temperature that was right around the freezing mark. Slush and snow was accumulating everywhere except in the tracks where passing vehicles had pushed it out of the way. Most of us chose to drive at 60 km/h to 65 km/h regardless of the fact the speed limit was posted at 90 km/h.

A few four-wheel drive pickups were the exception, splooshing by in the left lane 15 to 20 km/h faster.

Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicles may be great for traction to get going but when it comes to braking and cornering, they are no different that two-wheel drive vehicles. There is only so much friction available for the tires and it's easy to pass the point of no return.

Occasionally, the headlights in my rear view mirror caused some anxiety. Those drivers were still following the “two second rule” in conditions that merited at least four to six seconds.

If there is too much slush on the road to change lanes, settle back and follow along with everyone else. You are more likely to have me slow down when you tailgate than speed up to keep you happy.

Keeping back also gives you the bonus of better visibility. All of the water and slush thrown up by the vehicle in front of you will have a chance to settle and you won't have to clear your windshield as often.

If you are comfortable, you can pass slower traffic safely but please remember the extended following distance and apply it to the front as well. Don't move back in to the lane until you are well ahead of the vehicle you passed so that you don't blind the other driver.

In the aftermath of that snowfall, property owners failed in their duty to clear the sidewalks bordering their lots. That forced able-bodied pedestrians onto the ploughed roadway and made getting around impossible for those with physical limitations.

It was not uncommon to see these pedestrians walking with their backs to traffic and drivers moving over to avoid them.

What happens when circumstances combine narrow lanes, difficulty stopping and steering and oncoming vehicles that can't move over? If you don't see trouble coming, you won't be able to avoid it.

If a driver must move left to avoid an obstacle, it is up to them to wait and not influence oncoming traffic before doing so.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.