Drive to conditions
With the weather forecast predicting more snow and inclement weather, Canterbury Police are advising those on their roads to `drive to the conditions'.
"Be prepared," advises Inspector Al Stewart, Traffic Manager, Canterbury. "Tomorrow is the last day of the school holidays and people on holiday will be travelling long distances home. Check the weather and road conditions before you leave so you can change your plans and route if necessary."
Inspector Stewart says to check your vehicle, make sure it has good tires and fuel is topped up before you set out.
"There are many roads and passes in our district which are quite remote and susceptible to snow and ice. There are often quite long distances between refuelling stations and places to get advice. Drive to the conditions, slow down where necessary and keep your windows clear. Don't try risky overtaking. If you are a slower vehicle, please pull over and let faster vehicles past; traffic build ups often cause inattention and accidents."
Inspector Stewart also reiterates his recent message about fatigue.
"You can be fatigued enough to impair your driving long before you start to 'nod off' at the wheel and it is important to watch for the signs, such as weariness, exhaustion, yawning, tired eyes and micro-sleeps," says Inspector Stewart. "When fatigued, your reactions are much slower, your ability to concentrate is reduced, and it takes longer to interpret and understand the traffic situation. This results in difficulty keeping your car within its lane, drifting off the road, variation in speeds, and poor reaction time to avoid dangerous situations."
"There are some simple things you can do to reduce your risk of being affected by fatigue. Try to get adequate sleep prior to any long trip and plan to drive during the times of the day that you are normally awake. Limit your journey distances, staying overnight en-route where you can. Schedule regular breaks into your trip, and make use of any available roadside stops, such as the three 'driver reviver' stops scheduled for the Hurunui over the Labour Weekend break," advises Al Stewart. "Eat sensibly and ensure you remain hydrated, but avoid large meals as they can make you drowsy, and share the driving among the people travelling where possible. Avoid taking both prescription and over-the-counter medicines that lead to drowsiness and get as much fresh air into the car as you can."