1. Insert name of audience
Insert presenter’s name
Insert date

2. Are you ready for winter driving?
Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today.
My name is <insert name> and the purpose of my presentation is to let you know more about winter driving safety and the Shift into Winter campaign.

3. 167 The Winter Driving Issue In BC October 3
From fall to winter, as the weather changes in BC, the chance of being injured or killed in a crash dramatically increases.
Motor vehicle crashes increase significantly during winter months.
In BC the average number of crashes in which someone is killed or injured due to driving too fast for the conditions doubles from fall to early winter – from 130 in October to 261 in December.
Winter conditions can be challenging for even the most experienced driver. Our driving skills are pushed to the limit when winter weather – fog, rain, snow and ice make roads more hazardous.
October 3

4. Reduce frequency and severity of winter-weather related vehicle crashes on BC roads
In an effort to reduce the number and severity of winter weather related vehicle crashes, a group of road safety stakeholders came together in 2006 to form the Winter Driving Safety Alliance.
The goal: to help drivers prepare for winter driving and adopt safe winter driving practices.
In 2009, the Alliance launched Shift into Winter, a public awareness campaign that promotes safe winter driving and offers resources to inform and educate drivers about the hazards on winter roads.
While the campaign’s primary audience is the general driving public, the Alliance also recognizes the need to address winter driving issues in the workplace.
Key audiences for the campaign include:
Drivers driving for personal use
Drivers driving for work purposes, regardless of whether they’re driving their own vehicle or a company-owned vehicle
Employers and supervisors 4 4

5. Winter Driving Safety Alliance
Formed in 2006, the Winter Driving Alliance is a multi agency working group that includes a variety of stakeholders representing government, crown corporations, statutory agencies and private organizations.
Today, eighteen organizations are members of the Alliance.
Each has a strong interest in improving road safety across the province during the winter months.
The Alliance guides the annual Shift into Winter campaign. 5 5

6. New General Public Ads
Although the Shift into Winter campaign runs from October to March, the advertising strategy runs from October 2 to December 17. It is comprised of different elements to reach the various target audiences.
First, there is a general public advertising awareness campaign sponsored by WorkSafeBC, the Government of BC and ICBC that runs in six communities: Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna, South East BC, North East BC, and the North West. We chose these communities as they are the main regions that experience the majority of winter weather in BC and a significant number of crashes.
The campaign includes ads in community newspapers, on radio, transit, in online newspapers and on Google and Facebook.
Other elements of the campaign include earned and social media strategies, including a launch event which was held on Oct. 2nd on the steps of the legislature in Victoria.
Here and on the next page you see what the print ads look like. Winter means different things in different parts of the province - from rain and fog in the south, to snow and ice in the north. The ads showcase these differences in weather conditions. 6

7. New General Public Ads
To extend the reach of the campaign, Alliance members also buy time and space in their local media the complement the campaign. These ads run in communities across the province.
Having all partners use a single brand – Shift into Winter – and consistent messaging makes it easier for people to recognize, remember and understand the safety messages. 7

8. New Employer Ads
There is also a print and online advertising campaign targeted at employers and supervisors that is sponsored by WorkSafeBC.
Here are two of the ads that ran this year. They will appear in various industry and health and safety publications.
The ads showcase vehicles from various industries that make up a significant portion of winter related motor vehicle incidents such as general trucking and log hauling, etc. 8

9. New Employer Ads
And here is the third employer ad featuring a logging truck. 9 9

10. Website – ShiftIntoWinter.ca
Visit ShiftIntoWinter.ca for more information on winter driving safety
Visit DriveBC.ca for weather warnings and road conditions
All of our advertising and marketing materials are consistent in that they direct people to the Shift Into Winter website.
We also direct people to visit DriveBC.ca for up to date information on road and weather conditions. 10 10

11. Pre-winter Preparation
Before the winter season arrives, ensure that YOU and YOUR VEHICLE are equipped for winter conditions, now
Prepare yourself and your vehicle for the winter season and conditions now. Do not wait until the snow, black ice, rain, fog, extended periods of darkness and colder temperatures hit.
A few simple steps to winterize your ride could make a difference to your safety. The Shift Into Winter website provides tips on preparing your vehicle for winter conditions. 11 11

12. Vehicle Preparation Give your vehicle a winter check-up.
Ensure it is equipped with:
battery, brakes, light fuses, electrical systems, exhaust systems, belts and hoses
a winter-survival kit, including first aid supplies, non-perishable food, blankets, spare tire, gloves, shovel and jumper cables
four matched winter tires
chains (commercial vehicles)
Whether you are driving a fleet or personal vehicle for work, ensure it is winter ready with a pre-season maintenance check-up. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with:
a battery, brakes, light and fuses, cooling and heating systems, electrical and exhaust systems and belts and hoses, which have been found to be in good condition by a qualified person and meet manufacturer’s specifications.
a winter-survival kit and include items such as first aid supplies, non-perishable food, blankets, spare tire, gloves, shovel, jumper cables. Visit ShiftIntoWinter.ca for a comprehensive list of items to include in the emergency kit
a set of four matched winter tires.
chains in good condition, that fit your tires and that you know how/ have the tools to put on, if you operate a commercial truck. 12 12

13. Winter Tires and Chains
Between October 1 and March 31, most BC highways require passenger vehicles to have winter tires and commercial vehicles to carry chains
Three-peaked mountain and snowflake OR Mud and Snow (M+S)
At least 3.5 mm tire tread
Three-peaked mountain and snowflake:
best traction, faster stopping time and shorter stopping distances
Outperform (M+S) tires at temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius or lower
Winter tires
Most B.C. highways require passenger vehicles to use winter tires and commercial vehicles to carry chains between October 1 and March 31.
Winter tires in good condition with adequate tread depth are a legal requirement on BC highways during the winter driving season.
BC accepts tires displaying three peaked mountain and snowflake symbol OR the M+S (mud and snow) symbol, with at least 3.5 mm tread as winter tires.
Winter tires with the three peaked mountain and snowflake symbol offer the best traction for faster stopping time and shorter stopping distance in cold weather, snow, rain and on ice.
They out perform M+S tires at temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius or lower. 13 13

14. Driver Preparation Don’t learn by accident
Know how to drive for the conditions before you get behind the wheel
Visit the ShiftIntoWinter.ca website:
Complete the free, Winter Driving Safety online course
Review the resources
Preparing yourself for winter driving is key.
Don’t learn by accident. Winter road conditions vary around the province and can change quickly. Know how to drive for the conditions before you get behind the wheel (e.g. learn or be trained in winter driving skills such as how to brake safely and get out of a skid).
Visit the ShiftintoWinter.ca website, and
Complete the free winter driving safety course
Review the many resources 14 14

15. Don’t know? Don’t go.
Ask yourself – do you really have to go? Consider:
rescheduling and waiting until the weather improves
taking public transit to eliminate the need to drive
accomplishing your work tasks via , conference calls, online meetings, or courier
Driving in winter conditions can put you at significant risk, so avoid driving when road and weather conditions are bad.
When you think there is a need to drive, check the weather and road conditions by using resources such as DriveBC.ca for highway driving or news or weather services before a trip.
Ask yourself if the trip is really necessary…
Can it be delayed until the weather improves. Don’t drive if conditions are unsafe, or worsening; cancel or re-schedule trips when necessary.
Could you take public transit to eliminate the need to drive?
Could your work be completed over the phone, , conference call, or by sending materials via courier? 15 15

16. Plan your Trip If you need to travel:
Check weather and road conditions
Determine whether your vehicle is right for the trip
Determine whether you are fit to drive
Plan route to avoid hazardous roads
Adjust schedule to allow for more travel time
Have an emergency plan
If you must drive, plan your trip.
- Always check weather / travel conditions before you drive:
DriveBC
Environment Canada
Online and broadcast media sources
Determine whether your vehicle is right for the trip; is it equipped for roads and weather conditions?
Determine whether you are fit to drive; ensure you aren’t fatigued or on any medication, and that you have appropriate snacks and water available.
Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s safety features; adjust mirrors, seats, steering wheels, and head rests.
If driving is necessary, develop a trip plan including determining the safest route, alternate routes in case of closures or conditions, rest breaks and who and when you’ll be checking in with.
Adjust your schedule to allow for travel time
Have an emergency plan so that if you get stuck, you are prepared. 16 16

17. Drive safely
Slow down; drop speed to match conditions not the speed limit
Leave space; keep a safe following distance
Be aware; watch for hazards like black ice (-4 °C to +4°C)
Accelerate and brake slowly
Don’t use cruise control
Be cautious when approaching highway maintenance equipment
Be visible: always drive with headlights on
Drive safely.
Slow down. No matter how much driving experience you have, the way your vehicle will handle on snow, ice or rain can be unpredictable. The posted speed limit is the maximum speed allowed under ideal conditions. Drivers have a legal responsibility to drive according to the conditions, which often means driving below the posted speed limit. Reducing your speed will allow you more time to react to hazards such as black ice or pedestrians at intersections.
Leave space. Maintain a safe following distance. It takes longer to stop on a slippery road. Look ahead and keep plenty of distance between you and other cars — at least four seconds.
Be aware. Watch out for hazards. Be careful of black ice, which forms between +4°C and -4°C. Black ice often develops on shaded areas of roads, bridges and overpasses.
When starting and stopping on slick roads, start slowly and accelerate gradually.
Don’t use cruise control in wet or slippery conditions. It can cause your vehicle to go into a skid.
Use extreme caution when approaching highway maintenance equipment including plows and salt and sand trucks. Never pass on the right.
Be seen! Visibility is often critical during poor weather conditions, including rain. Always drive with your headlights on. 17 17

18. Visit www.ShiftIntoWinter.ca
Resources for the general public (drivers) and workplaces (employers, supervisors and workers)
Online course
Toolkits
To find out more about winter driving safety, please visit the website. Review the resources and information and bookmark the sites into your web browser for easy access
Here’s a snap shot of the free tool kit for employers and supervisors that can be found on ShiftIntoWinter.ca
It includes an easy step-by-step guide to plan, implement and monitor a winter driving safety program.
It is unique in that users can access different resources according to time of year.
For example, in the Before Winter section users find information on preparing their workplace for winter. This includes information on trip planning, and vehicle and worker preparation.
During Winter - Has winter already arrived in your community? Here’s what you can do now.
After Winter - Learn from the past winter season, how to plan and prepare for next winter.
The website also features an online course that includes the same information. 18 18 18

19. Help us to spread the word
Share this information with your staff and communities
Direct people to ShiftIntoWinter.ca
Download posters and put them up in your office
Purchase advertising (radio/print in your own community)
Use the resources on the Shift Into Winter website. Develop a Winter Driving Safety Plan
Change your own winter driving habits
Shift into Winter!
Thank you for your time here today.
We would really appreciate it if you would share this information with your staff and community stakeholders to spread the word about winter driving safety.
Please direct people to ShiftIntoWinter.ca for winter driving safety information.
Download the posters and put them up in your office and give them to others to put in their offices.
Use the resources on the Shift into Winter website.
Change your own winter driving habits to be safer on the roads this winter.
Shift into Winter! 19

20. Thank you! 20 20