Wikipedia defines “pet peeve” as: a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to them, to a greater degree than others may find it.
Wouldn’t it be great if we all understood what ticked each other off on the road – especially during winter when the elements are already stacked against us? Failing to clear the snow off your entire vehicle before the morning commute may not seem like a big deal when you’re in a hurry at 7am, but it sure makes a difference for trailing drivers blinded by wisps of snow flying from your hood, roof and trunk.
We place a lot of trust in our fellow drivers every time we pull out of the driveway. And although we may not be able to control others’ driving behaviours, we can enlighten ourselves on how our highway habits affect others’ experiences (and nerves!), which can then lead to some serious self improvement. Work a bit of respect into your driving routine and, chances are, it’ll rub off.
Where to start? Read what a few of our Twitter followers consider their personal winter driving pet peeves. Don’t be shy – share your own pet peeves, too, by taking the Tell TranBC survey or by connecting with us via social media.
We asked:
Here are a few examples of what you had to say:
We also encouraged you to let off some steam on Facebook:
Ahhh, now doesn’t that feel better? I’ll bet you can’t help but understand (or, dare I say, agree?) with some of these peeves. Sharing our beefs is cathartic, and can bring about positive change. So, please keep the peeves coming.
We all have the power to earn good winter driving karma. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
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People that drive REAL slow in adverse conditions causing a long line of vehicles and don’t slow and move over letting others by. I don’t care if you drive SLOW just be polite to let others by, I don’t want to dust you out or have others pass when unsafe.
Hi there anonymous,
Thanks for sharing your concern with us here. If there is room to allow others to pass, drivers should make room (this is true in any driving scenario – adverse weather or not).
Hate when highways are not plowed or salted. Why is the route from Creston to Cranbrook never looked after? So icy packed snow. Everytime it snows. Who is supposed to do it? Omgosh. Its bad.
Hello Cindy,
Thanks for your message and for letting us know your concerns. Our maintenance contractors are responsible for maintaining all provincial highways under their jurisdiction. If you have a concern about maintenance on this stretch of highway, we encourage you to share that directly with the maintenance contractor (along with the date and time you noticed the issue). Our contractors are required to keep records of public concerns and this helps us during our auditing process to ensure the contractor is responsive to any problems brought to their attention. Here’s a list of our maintenance contractors and the ways you can connect with them to communicate your concerns: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-infrastructure/contracting-to-transportation/highway-bridge-maintenance/highway-maintenance/contacts
Kamloops area is the same, always seem to wait until daylight to start clearing which is after it is all packed down too hard to plow. I have seen where there is days that Hwy 1 west of Kamloops has been days b4 cleared
Hello again Anonymous – thanks for this additional message. As mentioned above, we do encourage you to report any issue you notice directly to the maintenance contractor responsible (along with the date and time you noticed the issue). Our contractors are required to keep records of public concerns and this helps us during our auditing process to ensure the contractor is responsive to any problems brought to their attention. Here’s a list of our maintenance contractors and the ways you can connect with them to communicate your concerns: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-infrastructure/contracting-to-transportation/highway-bridge-maintenance/highway-maintenance/contacts