Fog advisory across Metro Vancouver making it difficult for commuters: ICBC
The past couple of days have been tough for commuters with “near zero visibility” at times in parts of Metro Vancouver due to foggy conditions.
The advisory was first issued on Sunday. Environment and Climate Change Canada noted that Metro Vancouver, parts of Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast could expect fog to limit visibility in some parts, potentially making conditions “hazardous for travel.”
Karen Klein, ICBC Road Safety Coordinator for Surrey and White Rock, tells CityNews that these weather conditions are especially dangerous for the most vulnerable road users — pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
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“We already know it’s greyer, it’s darker, it’s rainier, we’ve had to do the switching of the clocks, which puts pedestrians more at risk so now when you put fog in the mix you really make the scenario complex,” she said.
She is asking drivers to be aware of their surroundings by taking further precautions such as using headlights and fog lights, having adequate windshield wipers and fluid, and watching their speed. She also adds that drivers should not use their high beams because “fog reflects the light which makes it difficult to drive.”
“We also suggest that drivers use that right edge as their guide when they’re driving … that white line that runs along the side of the road is actually called a fog line.”
Klein explains that if you need to stop driving on foggy days choose to do it where you can pull into a parking lot compared to stopping on the side of the road as the driver behind you may not see you.
Another word of advice for other road users is to put something reflective on, wear bright colors, and walk outside with a flashlight when it’s dark if they want to be extra cautious, Klein said.
Although it is too early to note the number of claims coming in, ICBC does know that when looking at the average statistics on a yearly basis, the province of B.C. as a whole has 156 annual average fog-related crashes and the lower mainland has around 60 fog-related crashes.
She also adds that we know most incidents happen between 3-6 p.m., on Fridays, and between October to January when it’s poor weather and daylight savings.
“The fog can give you a sense of slow motion … so making sure that the car is ready for these types of conditions.”
-With files from Martin MacMahon, Pippa Norman, and Hana Mae Nassar
