Safety Message from the Oceanside RCMP

Tips for safe winter driving:

During the Christmas holidays, on average, 69 people are injured in 340 crashes on Vancouver Island every year.

Every year during New Year's, on average, 17 people are injured in 78 crashes on Vancouver Island.

This short video from the Western Cape government Safely Home initiative will have you rolling on the floor with laughter — before it punches you in the gut. Paired with the hashtag #itcanwait, the video emphasizes that nothing is more important that getting home safely without hurting yourself or others. Of course, the thought applies just as well here in Oceanside as it does in Africa. Leave the phone alone and just drive.

We all know that the law requires that we wear our seat belts when driving. The Motor Vehicle Act says in part "..wear the complete seat belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner." Why should we worry, and how do we know what is proper?

This year's holiday CounterAttack campaign is kicking off this weekend with roadchecks set up across the province. The B.C. government, police and ICBC are urging drivers to plan ahead and make smart decisions to get home safely this holiday season.

I pick up my grand daughters one afternoon a week at their rural elementary school. The kindergarten classes march out in line and wait patiently while their teacher identifies each child's caregiver and dismisses them individually. They now join the free for all to walk to the vehicles parked in the area and go home.

This inquiry arrived in the DriveSmartBC inbox last Thursday: "I bought a used newer truck from a dealership and was told prior to signing the final documents that the truck had gone through a full safety inspection. Less than two weeks later I was pulled over and issued a ticket for improperly equipped motor vehicle and issued a box 2 inspection order for my 2017 Dodge Ram 3500."

But please don’t wait until you see throngs of children before you slow down.  We must jack up our level of vigilance and lower our speed everywhere children might be trick-or-treating.

Oceanside Community Safety volunteers Cheryl and Leah were on location at the Parksville Fire Department to take part in the Fire Prevention Month open house. Normally, Child Safety Seat checks are held monthly at Oceanside Public Health Services but they were pleased to help out on this special event.

Conditions change, so should your speed. Even the most confident drivers are at risk in hazardous road conditions. Slow down and drive at a safe speed. Visit ShiftintoWinter.ca.