DriveSmartBC - Wet Weather Driving
 

Are you prepared to drive on wet roads after our dry summer? It's time to shift mental gears and be ready for another season of less than ideal driving conditions. Many drivers try to blame their crashes on the weather, but a more truthful answer might be that the reason for the crash is failing to take the weather into account.

The crash rate in wet weather is highest immediately after a period of dry highways. Contaminants deposited on the pavement surface during dry times may be spread into a slippery film when the rain starts. Extra care is required until the rain can wash these contaminants off of the pavement completely.

Hydroplaning is an ever present danger on wet roads. It is influenced by four things: tread depth, tire inflation pressure, speed and the depth of the water on the road surface. Drivers have complete control over the first three items and some control over the last. Do your tire maintenance checks regularly and replace tires when required. Keep an eye out for water pooling or running across the roadway and slow down accordingly.

Wet weather also means poor conditions for driver vision. Replace your windshield wipers at the first sign that they are not doing the job of clearing the glass properly. Also, make sure your washer reservoir is filled with the appropriate cleaning fluid for the season.

Reference Links

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CASE LAW - Wong-Lai v Ong

RESOURCE - Keeping Canadians Safe Through Improved Road Design

SURVEY - Distracted Driving in Canada

Also, specific areas can be dangerous after a rain. For instance....where the fuel truck overturned by Goldstream Park. Can you imagine all the diesel/oil coming out of the road surface...for ....who knows for how long?

I know this falls into the area you mentioned already, but this would be an "enhanced" danger area.

But according the sebberry, the speed limits on the Malahat are all too low anyway!

^lol. Soundy you're such a dick XD

But yeah, I generally follow the rule of "20% or more" rule when it's raining.

Go a bit slower, distance a bit further, turn a little slower, look a little further.

It's common sense, and it's not DIFFICULT. You're going 80 vs me going 70, and we'll get there at the same time in crappy weather ANYWAY.

-sigh- dumb drivers =p