Avoid High-Risk Driving Behaviour

Road risk forecast - prepare for spring conditions
As the weather gets warmer, plan ahead for extra traffic so you're not tempted to rush to your destination. No one likes getting stuck in heavy or slow traffic, but don’t let it get the better of you and react poorly or you’ll increase your risk of having a crash.

Stay safe by avoiding these top 5 high-risk driving behaviours:

1. Failing to yield: It may not always be easy to decide who has the right-of-way at intersections. Signs and traffic signals often help determine who's allowed to go first. If in doubt, always be ready to give the right-of-way.
   
2. Ignoring traffic lights: If you're approaching a light that's been green for a while, slow down and prepare to stop if the light changes. Remember that yellow lights mean you must stop unless it is unsafe to do so.
   
3. Tailgating: Always leave a safe following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front so you have enough time to react to the unexpected. You need a following distance of at least two seconds in good weather and road conditions. Allow at least three seconds when you’re behind a large vehicle that could block your vision, or a motorcycle that could stop very quickly.
   
4. Speeding: Slow down and be more realistic about travel times to help reduce your risk of getting in a crash.
   
5. Improper passing: If you’re planning to pass, make sure you do it safely and legally. Keep within the speed limit and communicate clearly by using your signals. Big trucks can't slow down as quickly as you can so leave extra room before pulling back in. Avoid passing on the right, and ensure you can see the vehicle you’ve passed in your mirrors before pulling back in front of it.
   

Tailgating, failing to yield or speeding seem harmless, but these high-risk driving behaviours contribute to almost half of all police-reported casualty crashes in B.C. And, 60% of all crashes in B.C. take place in intersections.
Check out our interactive crash maps for more information.

High-risk driving campaign on now

From May 15 to June 15, ICBC and police are running a high-risk driving awareness campaign. This campaign reminds drivers to slow down so they can be more prepared to expect the unexpected.

The month-long campaign includes enhanced police enforcement and volunteer Speed Watch deployments in high crash locations. We want to help drivers avoid high-risk driving behaviours because fewer crashes and injuries lower claims costs and help keep rates as low as possible.