Sharing the Road in the Summer
Although winter is typically considered the time of year that poses the most hazardous driving conditions, the summer season can be challenging as well for a variety of reasons. Drivers need to be incredibly alert when they are driving in the summer – and the rule of thumb is to expect the unexpected. The long list of summer driving surprises starts with children. Many kids are especially excited at this time of year because they have completed the school year and they are outside, perhaps playing on the street. It goes without saying but watch for children who may not be taking a cautious approach to traffic.
Tourists can be another source of surprise for summer drivers. Unfamiliar with the routes they are travelling, they can sometimes stop unexpectedly or change their route abruptly because they suddenly realize there are traveling in the wrong direction. Maintaining a safe distance and remembering to keep right so as to allow others to pass is the best way to stay clear of those drivers. If traveling yourself, be aware that wildlife is typically more abundant in the summer as their young become more mobile at this time of year and therefore more likely to join their parents when crossing the road to find new habitat or food.
Cyclists can be an unpredictable element that drivers will encounter more often during the summer. While the expectation may be that cyclists will use hand signals or follow the general rules of the road, that isn’t always the case, so give them plenty of space and observe them with caution. Motorcyclists are also more apparent on the road during the summer and, as the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) reports, an average of six motorcyclists are injured daily in BC during the months of July and August. According to ICBC’s most recent statistics, motorcycle collisions increased, from a total of 1,500 in 2015 to 1,600 in 2016. When sharing the road with motorcyclists, know that they don’t have the same ability to brake quickly that you may have with a vehicle, so give them space. Furthermore, give a motorcycle extra room when passing and observe intersections carefully, as these are the scene of most motorcycle-related collisions. It is also recommended that automobile drivers yield to motorbikes when the question of right-of-way is at stake.
Warm weather also brings on a greater number of road construction projects across the province, each of which involve inherent safety risks – for drivers, cyclists and road construction crew members. As much as road construction delays may be frustrating, give yourself extra time to get to your destination, research alternative routes or plan your schedule around periods when traffic may not be at its maximum. Furthermore, pay close attention to the speed limits in construction zones and use common sense and consideration in a construction area where flag-persons and other crew members are simply trying to do their jobs. There are some useful websites such as DriveBC.ca that can be of great assistance in route planning. Summer is the time to create great memories for you and your loved-ones – so observe the challenges and drive cautiously regardless of the circumstances.
Blair Qualey is President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association of BC. You can email him at [email protected].
