The Coquihalla was closed for several days last year due to weather conditions, leaving some passengers stranded for far longer than they expected. Even veteran drivers of BC’s highways were surprised by the conditions last year, which makes it extremely important to stay on top of the weather, your vehicle, and your overall safety. Here are some safety tips for driving the Coquihalla Highway from the professionals at Dolphin Delivery. 

Safety tips for driving the Coquihalla Highway.

Check the road conditions.

Be aware of the road conditions before you get on the road, and if things look too intense, postpone your trip. There are plenty of online weather apps you can use to check the situation you’re headed into (we love Carrot) or turn on the TV to see what the weather will be doing during your drive. If things look bad and you can postpone, do it. If all systems are go and you’re good to do the drive, at least now you’ll know what to expect from the weather. 

Once you’re on the road, you can and should adjust your speed accordingly. Just because the sign says 120 km/h, that doesn’t mean you should be going that fast. Driving below the posted maximum speed limit is recommended when the road is wet or snowy. You should slow down in less-than-ideal conditions. 

Cameras are your best friend.

As mentioned above, cameras are your friend when you’re thinking about safety tips for driving the Coqihalla Highway. Lucky for us, BC has a great system of highway cameras that you can use to check your route conditions, and see what the weather is like in the area. You’ll be able to visibly see snow on the road with some of these angles. 

Check BC Highway Cams before you leave home. 

Choosing the right tires.

At this point it’s important to address what makes a legal winter tire here in BC. To be defined as a legal winter tire on a passenger vehicle, you’ll need at minimum 3.5 millimetres of tread depth on your tire. These are labeled in one of two ways. 

 

1. The letters M+S on your tires, which stands for Mud and Snow rated.
2. A 3-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol, which offer the best traction for driving in snowy and icy conditions.

 

For extreme conditions, you’ll want to bring chains with you and really get the best traction possible. The Coquihalla is no fun during the winter months, so it’s critical that you come prepared. Unless you want to be stuck on the side of the road. 

During designated winter months (October to April), summer tires simply won’t cut it on the Coquihalla. In fact, they’re not allowed at all. And don’t think that you can just throw some chains on your summer tires. Not good enough by a long shot. 

Visit the province’s website to learn more about tire and chain requirements. 

Be sharp and alert, not tired.

There’s lots of wind on the Coquihalla, and at times it can come out of nowhere. So even if things seem calm, stay alert and focused on the road. No texting! 

Additionally, water really tends to pool on the highway in certain areas, and black ice can pop out of nowhere as well, so stay sharp. Have a coffee before you leave, and if you’re tired, don’t make the trip. It’s too tough of a drive to not be at your best. 

The ultimate checklist for driving the Coquihalla Highway.

Before you leave, here are a few things you’ll want to take care of to stay safe on the road. 

-Check your headlights and your taillights before you leave. 

-Always get a full tank of gas before you go. 

-Pack food and water just in case you get stuck. 

-Bring a fully charged cellphone and a portable charger. 

-Dress appropriately, even if you just throw extra layers in the back seat. 

At the end of the day we need to stress that if you don’t need to travel on the Coquihalla during the winter, don’t do it. Reconsider your travel plans and maybe take a flight from YVR, Kelowna or Abbotsford if that’s at all possible. If not be sure to take every precaution mentioned and to stay vigilant on the roads. Slow and steady. Check our blog for more safe driving tips.