The interior of British Columbia is vast in size and terrain. Travellers can experience a flavour of the region from our paved roads, however getting off the beaten path can lead adventurous travelers to secondary roads and logging roads that can bring about fantastic and memorable experiences.
Keep in mind, pavement or gravel, there's a good chance that you are experiencing a true Canadian wilderness experience with a certain amount of risk.
Cellular subscribers to both Roger's AT&T and TELUS Mobility can get the latest road condition updates free by dialing *4997 (*HWYS).
General road information is available 24 hours-a-day at a charge of 75 cents per minute by dialing 1-900-565-4997. You can dial this number from a hotel or pay phone by using a TELUS Calling Card. Hotel charges may apply. You may also bill the charge to your Master Card or Visa by dialing 420-4997 in Vancouver and 1-800-550-4997 throughout B.C.
The Coquihalla Highway Toll Plaza has a low frequency radio station which broadcasts the latest Coquihalla and Okanagan Connector road conditions. CBPQ FM can be received within a two-mile radius of the toll plaza. Tune your car radio to 89.9 FM.
On many of our primary highways, motorists are alerted to the latest road conditions by electronic overhead message signs. These signs are highly visible and are automatically updated as conditions change. Watch for them once you're on the road.
How to Avoid Collisions
with B.C.'s Wild Creatures
Traveling B.C. roads, you are likely to see many different animals: from huge moose to small porcupines. In the summer many young creatures become more mobile, and they are likely to join their parents crossing the road to find new habitat. They're beautiful and entertaining to watch. But wildlife and cars on the road together can be a lethal mix. Hitting an animal is not just emotionally upsetting. Even a smaller animal can damage a vehicle. A larger animal can cause a serious collision. Here are some ideas on how to avoid hitting them:
Be extra careful in the early morning or at dusk and during the night. These times are when animals are most likely to be on the road.
Slow down and look ahead into the ditch for movement or for the reflection of animal eyes in your headlights.
Some animals, especially deer, may panic when they see your headlights and may freeze in the road. If you see an animal, slow down until you are well past them.
Moose will often attempt to escape from a car by continuing to run along the road. This may pose a hazard to other drivers. If it is safe to do so, pull over or slow to a very low speed until the animal leaves the road.
Many animals travel in groups. If you see one on the road, slow down -- there may be more following.
If you see a large dead animal in the road, please call the police or the local Ministry of Transportation and Highways office. We need to remove the body from the traffic lanes before it causes an accident.
Above all, watch for the wildlife warning signs, which are posted at areas where experience shows animals are likely to be on the road.
TRAVELING BACK ROADS
STAY ALERT
Forest roads are not built to the same standards as public highways. For example, they often have sharp, blind corners and narrow sections. All drivers must be prepared to react to unexpected conditions and to be able to stop safely. For your own sake, stay alert and always be ready to take evasive action. Remember, dust means traffic.
TURN YOUR LIGHTS ON
Day or night, the more visible you are, the better your chances of avoiding trouble. Use your lights at all times.
DRIVE AT A SAFE SPEED
Since most forest roads are not posted with speed limit signs, it's the responsibility of the driver to travel at speeds that reflect road conditions. Where there are posted signs, you must obey them. You should always use caution and expect the unexpected. You must be able to stop safely in any emergency or in encountering unforeseen obstructions.
OBEY ALL ROAD SIGNS
On forest roads, signs warn drivers of known hazards along the road, and provide special driving instructions. Obey these signs for your own safety. Remember that not all hazards are signed.
Road conditions can change rapidly because of weather, use, and other factors. Do not expect the same level of warning signage as on public highways.
YIELD TO INDUSTRIAL TRAFFIC
Logging trucks use all or most of the road width because of their size. This can pose a challenge for oncoming traffic since forest roads are often single lane or a lane-and-a-half wide, and bridges are almost always single-lane. Please give logging trucks and other industrial traffic the right-of-way.
Due to their size, they just can't manoeuvre the way personal vehicles can. Loaded logging trucks definitely have the right-of-weight! When you see a logging truck or any other heavy equipment coming,
get to a turnout and let the oncoming vehicle pass by. You may find turnouts on either side of the road -- whichever side it's on, get to it and wait until it is safe to proceed. Remember that in winter. road conditions may be very slippery. Allow extra time and space for equipment to pass.
DON'T TRUST YOUR CB
On busy forest roads, drivers of logging trucks, other forest company vehicles and BC Forest Service vehicles use radios to communicate with each other. Keep a look out for road signs that indicate the VHF radio frequency that is being used. Your CB radio will not pick up the same frequency, so don't rely on it for identifying the presence of other vehicles.
Where possible, follow logging company or BC Forest Service vehicles. When they move into turnouts, follow them. Do not match the speed of empty logging trucks these drivers know the road and will move much faster than you safely can, so do not try to keep up with them. In all situations, drive with extreme caution.
WATCH OUT FOR SWEEPERS
Sweepers are very long logs that are sometimes hauled by logging trucks. They can hang over the back of the trailer by as much as six metres! On a steep road with tight curves, a sweeper could literally sweep a car off the road. That's why on some left-turning curves, you may see a sign asking you to drive on the left-hand side. Being on the left will keep you out of the sweeper's way. If you round a corner and find an immobile logging truck, you should stop. When it is clear to go, or when the driver waves you on, proceed with caution even a sweeper that isn't moving can be dangerous.
REPORT VANDALISM AND REPORT FOREST CRIMES
Forest road signs are sometimes the target of vandalism. Such behaviour is unacceptable because the signs are in place to ensure the safety of all road users. If you see a damaged sign, please report it to the nearest company or Forest Service office. Everyone has a stake in helping keep public forest lands healthy. Report suspicious activities and environmental damage to local authorities.
DON'T HAUL A TRAVEL TRAILER
Taking travel trailers on steep, rough, isolated and infrequently used roads can be dangerous. Loaded logging rigs can not back up on steep grades so it is best to avoid the use of trailers on these roads.
BEFORE YOU GO
Forest road users must be prepared for emergencies; there are no hospitals, restaurants, telephone booths or gas stations. Plan your trip before you leave. Be sure to take the following:
Emergency food and water
Navigational/communication aids (maps, compass, charts, and fully charged GPS, cellular phone, hand held radio)
Fire extinguisher
Extra fuel
First aid kit
Warm clothing
Matches in waterproof container
Sleeping bags
A tool kit
A shovel.
Before you go, let someone know where you're heading and when you expect to return. If you do get lost or
stranded, stay with your vehicle. It will provide shelter until help arrives, and generally, rescuers can find it more quickly than they can an individual in the woods.
