Caution Urged As Winter Weather Approaches
Caution Urged As Winter Weather Approaches
A blast of cold, wet weather will
increase the risks to road users in
Canterbury this
weekend with the possibility of heavy rain and snow to
higher
levels.
Senior Sergeant Phil Newton of the
Canterbury Highway Patrol says road users
should adapt
their driving practices to the conditions.
"Winter weather
dramatically increases the chances of having a crash -
especially if drivers have lapses in concentration," he
says.
The winter months are traditionally bad ones on
local roads. Last year 33
people died on Canterbury
roads, and 10 of these (30%) were lost between May
and
August.
"The biggest factor in the winter road toll is
motorists failing to drive to
the conditions. Our most
important message to all drivers is to slow down
whenever the weather turns bad.
"Drivers also need to
increase their following distance behind other
vehicles, to ensure they have a better chance of
reacting quickly enough to
hazards or difficult
situations."
Senior Sergeant Newton says the average
vehicle will take between 28 and 35
metres to stop when
travelling at 50 kilometres an hour, on good roads and
with good driver reactions. At 100 kilometres an hour
the stopping distance
increases to between 98 and 112
metres.
"And if a driver is going too fast in the wet,
where visibility can be
limited and traction is
reduced, these stopping distances increase even
further.
Drivers should also ensure they have an
unobstructed view through their
windscreens and windows
by clearing ice and condensation.
"I have already seen one
driver leaning out of his side window while driving
in
an attempt to get good visibility," he says. "The stupidity
of some people
to place themselves and other road users
in danger of having a crash is
amazing."
Police
recommend motorists give their vehicles a thorough check at
this time
of year, to ensuring their vehicle is safe
for the conditions and to reduce
the chances of
crashes. This should include:
• Tyres have sufficient
tread
• Brakes are working correctly
• All lights
are working
• Windscreen wipers are in good
condition
• Vehicle has a current Warrant of
fitness
• Snow chains are on board if travelling over
the
passes.
ENDS