RICHMOND, BC – The Winter Driving Safety Alliance (WDSA) is urging drivers in British Columbia and everywhere to drive according to the weather conditions and go slow on the roads as Fall transitions into Winter.

The group made up of industry insiders in that province, including the Government of B.C., the Insurance Corporation of B.C., and WorkSafeBC, says the number of police-attended collisions due to driving too fast for the weather conditions doubles each year in December, compared with October from the same year.

Between 2012 and 2016 an average of more than 260 crashes occurred on B.C. roadways in December, compared with an average of about 130 crashes in October.

For those whose office is their vehicle, October, November and December are the most dangerous months, with almost 30% of all work-related crashes that result in injury and time-loss claims made to WorkSafeBC occurring during these three months.

Depending on where you are in Canada, road winter conditions can vary greatly from snow, wind, and ice, to frigid temperatures, or even rain. The WDSA recommends winter tires for all vehicles, and is offering drivers tips to keep them well on the roads.

Vehicles should be equipped with more than just winter tires, the group says. Having an emergency kit, blanket, and salt or kitty litter on-hand will help drivers in the event of an incident.

Being safe involves planning your route, including checking weather and traffic conditions before heading out, leaving lots of extra travel time, and having a plan in case you get stuck.

Slowing down and leaving room is key. The group says even the most seasoned winter drivers can be at risk in hazardous road conditions, and stopping can become difficult.

The WDSA has a toolkit for employers and a winter driving safety course available on their website. That and more information on staying safe in poor weather can be found here.