With the first blast of winter behind us, Coasters should be asking themselves was I prepared and how do I get prepared when the next snow fall hits.
Thanks for Cpl. Jamie Chung, media relations officer with RCMP's E Division Traffic Services, some answers to those questions are pretty easy to define.
"Around this time every year, the same question is asked: do I really need winter tires? The answer is a resounding yes," said Chung. "Rubber tends to harden in cold weather, thus reducing friction and stopping capability of the vehicle. The new generation winter tires maintain their elasticity and gripping power at lower temperatures (-35 C and bellow), whereas all season tires tend to stiffen and lose gripping power around 0 C. The improved gripping power at lower temperatures has its benefits.
"A study showed that winter tires reduce stopping distances by up to 25 per cent or between two to three car lengths. That could be the difference between a safe stop and a fender bender or worse."
Chung said it is important for drivers and vehicle owners to understand the difference between all season tires and winter tires. "Every year there are countless collisions that could have been avoided if the vehicles had been equipped with proper tires," he said. "No one should have to experience a preventablecollision. Furthermore, the cost of physical injuries and pain cannot be truly measured in dollars and cents."
He said if you plan on driving on snow or ice covered roads make sure you have the proper tires on your vehicle.
"Don't wait until the snow starts falling, equip your vehicle with a proper set of tires," he said.
??In addition to winter tires, here are some tips for safe winter driving:
* Get your vehicle ready for winter in the fall.
* Don't drive under the influence.
* Pack an emergency kit.
* Learn and practice winter driving techniques before you need them.
* Plan your trip and tell your friends & family. Check road and weather conditions.
* Remove all snow from your vehicle before each trip.
* Give yourself extra travel time in bad weather.
* Avoid using overdrive and cruise control on slippery roads.
* Travel with a fully charged cell phone for emergency situations.
* Slow down and wear your seatbelt.
