National Road Safety Week (May 15-May 21)

A few months ago, I was flown in to Quebec for Michelin’s Ride and Road Drive Test, a small media tour with people from all over Canada and the United States, to test-drive the new Michelin tires. I was just recently alerted to National Road Safety Week (May 15-21) by the fine folks of Michelin, and thought I’d pass along their safety tips.

This is some information the folks from Michelin passed along:

With the May long weekend fast approaching, road trips are a natural means for Canadians to explore and enjoy the sights and sounds of the spring season. Whether you plan to take refuge at a cottage or go on an outdoor expedition, Canadians, and British Columbians, should be able to count on their vehicle to safely take them on the promise of a fun, and stress-free getaway. The recent Michelin Canada Safety Survey, however, revealed that 63 per cent of Canadians say they do not feel safe in their own car. Additionally, 73 per cent are also not very prepared for safety in their car. While there may be plans for a pleasant journey on the road, do Canadians know how to address their lack of confidence in the safety of their vehicle? Here in BC, the survey also found that 61 per cent of BC respondents said that they don’t create or update an emergency contact list.

I strongly recommend that if you go away for the May long weekend, you take extra precautions on the road. Particularly in light of what Michelin told me about statistics on road safety in BC: 61 per cent of BC respondents say that they don’t create or update an emergency contact list, and only 20 per cent of BC drivers say that are very comfortable driving in heavy rain at night. Considering that in Vancouver we are in a rain forest, this should be a concern! And given that I participated in the Preventable campaign’s social media strategy, I feel even more drawn to issues of road safety.

A few tips that Michelin sent me:

Regular tire maintenance

– Know how to handle a tire blowout, pay attention to your Tire Pressure Warning Light, use a tire pressure gauge on the tire to test if your tires need air; ensure regular tire rotation and alignment checks.
– Check your tires’ air pressure and compare to the sticker in your door jamb. Check your tires’ tread both visually and with the Penny Test. (Learn how here)

Wet driving

– Make sure your tires offer the proper amount of tread.
– Own tires that offer maximum grip in wet weather, such as the MICHELIN® Defender™ tire.
– Drive with two hands. Always.
– Slow down before turning, and maintain a consistent speed throughout the turn.
– While turning, don’t make any sudden steering wheel movements.
– Only brake in a straight line before the turn, and do so gradually. Do not brake during the turn.
– Increase your following distance from other cars significantly.
– If hydroplaning, do not accelerate or brake suddenly. Keep your foot lightly on the gas and steer the car forwards until your tires regain traction.

Know who to call for assistance

– Make sure you have proper roadside assistance before you need it.
– Make sure your vehicle is up-to-date on all inspections.

Thanks to Michelin for sending me these tips and reminding me of National Road Safety Week 2012. If you plan to travel this May long weekend or this summer, please pay attention to safety tips. Be safe on the road!