A change in season brings more wet and slippery roads, leading to a spike in road accidents in the Lower Mainland, Kirmac Collision, a collision repair specialist in Langley, knows firsthand the impact of rain on local drivers. At the beginning of the rain season, Kirmac experiences a surge of collision repairs as drivers begin to adjust their driving to the slick conditions.
Kirmac Collision CEO Ian McIntosh said that after years in the collision and repair business his company has come to understand the correlation between the weather and the types of collision and repair needs that occur as a result.
“The best way to keep yourself safe on the road in any weather, especially the looming rain, is to be prepared before you hit the road,” McIntosh said.
To ensure drivers reach their destination safely this rain season, Kirmac Collision has compiled nine tips to take on the road:
1. Make sure that your windshield and windows are clean, both inside and out, before driving;
2. Check headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals. Make sure the windshield wiper motor is functioning and that both wiper blades are not worn down or split;
3. Turn on your headlights and with your wipers whenever it starts raining.
4. Keep a greater than normal distance from the car ahead of you to compensate for poor braking conditions or spray from larger vehicles which can block your vision;
5. Pull over when it rains so heavily that you can’t see the edge of the road or other vehicles. Rest areas, roadside malls and restaurants are the best places to stop until the deluge subsides;
6. When driving on the freeway, try to drive in the centre lanes as water tends to pool on the outside lanes.
7. Ensure tires are sufficient with safe tread depth;
8. Never drive tired in good weather, let alone in weather when your vision is limited by rain, and
9. Allow more time for travel; 30 minutes more is a good allowance to add to your daily commute.