Braking Techniques and Conditions +10British Columbia · CDL · English

Bring your vehicle to a stop by squeezing gradually and firmly on the brake pedal. Just before a full stop, reduce pressure to prevent jerking back. To stop safely, ensure brakes are correctly adjusted, load is balanced, and tires are in good condition and properly inflated. Travel at a speed allowing you to see a safe distance ahead and maintain safe following distance.

• ✓Reduce brake pedal pressure just before a full stop to prevent the vehicle jerking back
• ✓Make gradual stops to give the driver behind notice you're slowing
• ✓You can be fined as much as $2,000 for operating with brakes not adjusted correctly or not performing adequately

On icy roads, use extremely light brake pressure to control speed and prevent wheel lockup. A slowly revolving wheel is more effective than a locked skidding wheel. ABS-equipped vehicles require a different technique. Use snow tires and/or chains. Mount chains at designated chain-up areas—don't wait until you spin out. Don't deflate tires to install chains, check tightness at first safe opportunity, and reduce speed with chains.

• ✓Use extremely light brake pressure on icy roads to prevent wheel lockup
• ✓A slowly revolving wheel is more effective than a locked wheel skidding on ice
• ✓Mount tire chains at designated chain-up areas before steep hills, not on a hill
• ✓Do not deflate tires to install chains, and reduce speed when driving with chains

Drivers of buses, taxis and limousines must follow rules on smoking and alcohol, passenger refusal, transporting disabled passengers, and chauffeur permits. Buses have right-of-way rules and following distance considerations.

• ✓Smoking and alcohol are prohibited while operating passenger vehicles
• ✓Accommodate disabled passengers as required
• ✓Obtain a chauffeur permit where required

School bus operators must follow specific requirements for mirrors, signs, passenger management, and safety equipment. Class 2 or 4 unrestricted licences are required for certain buses.

• ✓Use and adjust school bus mirrors correctly
• ✓Follow school bus sign and warning light procedures
• ✓Manage passenger safety per school bus regulations

Emergency vehicles may use amber flashing lights (with permit) and have specific operating rules. Special activity buses and special vehicles have distinct definitions and licence requirements.

• ✓Amber flashing lights require a permit
• ✓Follow specific rules when operating emergency vehicles
• ✓Know licence requirements for special activity buses and special vehicles

Highest brake temperatures occur when braking from highway speeds on long downgrades or from repeated brake use without cooling time. Almost all brake failures and runaway crashes are from overdriving the brakes' ability to handle heat—poor speed control. Be in a lower gear going down than climbing up. Never shift to a higher gear on a downgrade unless speed can be controlled with a retarding device or engine compression.

• ✓Use a lower gear to descend a hill than you used to climb it
• ✓Never shift to a higher gear on a downgrade unless speed can be controlled by a retarding device or engine compression
• ✓Almost all brake failures and runaway crashes are caused by overdriving the brakes' ability to handle heat

Follow truck advisory speed limits. Use four-way flashers when driving slowly downhill. Stay in the far right lane. Select a safe speed for weight, length, grade steepness, weather, and conditions, use an appropriate low gear, and use the retarding device. If speed increases, apply brakes hard enough to reduce speed 10-15 km/h (cold brakes), downshift to a lower main gear (not the splitter valve), and keep the vehicle in gear all the way down.

• ✓If speed increases on a downgrade, apply brakes hard enough to reduce speed by 10 to 15 km/h
• ✓Do not use the splitter valve for shifting on a downhill; downshift to a lower main gear
• ✓Keep your vehicle in gear all the way down the hill
• ✓Use four-way flashers and stay in the far right lane when descending slowly

Water reduces braking efficiency. Avoid deep water when possible. If driving through water, cover the brake pedal and apply a slight drag to reduce water entering the brakes. Reduce speed before driving through water pools. After water, dry brakes by applying slight pressure for a short distance. Runaway lanes on downhill grades help slow/stop vehicles with brake failure and should be used only to control speed or stop.

• ✓Apply a slight drag on the brakes when driving through water to reduce water entering the brake drums and shoes
• ✓Dry out brakes after water by applying slight pressure for a short distance
• ✓Runaway lanes should only be used to control speed or stop, not for any other purpose

Alcohol, marijuana, illicit drugs and some prescribed or stay-awake drugs can impair your ability to drive safely. Penalties exist under B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Act and the Criminal Code. Immediate, severe penalties apply if you drive with a certain amount of alcohol/drugs or refuse a breath sample, and repeat offences are worse. A police officer may prohibit you even without a BAC over .08 or 2 ng THC if they consider your ability affected.

• ✓Penalties apply for BAC over .08, THC of 2 ng or more, or refusing to provide a sample
• ✓Police can prohibit you even without exceeding legal limits if ability appears impaired
• ✓Criminal Code convictions can include lifetime prohibitions and jail

Impaired driving convictions can deny insurance claims, raise rates, prevent certain jobs, and cause travel problems to the U.S. and Mexico. Police can impound your vehicle for driving unlicensed, suspended/prohibited, excessive speeding (40 km/h or more over the limit), or street racing/stunt driving — seven days initially, escalating to 30 or 60 days for repeat offenders. Owners are responsible for ensuring only licensed drivers use their vehicles.

• ✓Vehicles can be impounded for unlicensed, prohibited, excessive speeding or stunt driving
• ✓Impoundment is seven days initially, up to 30 or 60 days for repeat offenders
• ✓Owners are responsible for ensuring only licensed drivers use their vehicles

Prescribed and over-the-counter drugs (antihistamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, cold remedies) can cause drowsiness — read labels and check with a pharmacist or physician. Stay-awake tablets don't reduce mental fatigue. There's no safe substitute for rest; pull over and sleep if fatigued and follow National Safety Code hours of service. Emotions like road rage and distractions prevent focus — stay calm and focused.

• ✓Read medication labels for side effects and consult a pharmacist or physician
• ✓There's no safe substitute for proper rest — pull over and sleep if fatigued
• ✓Follow National Safety Code hours of service and get enough sleep every 24 hours

Ambulance drivers use flashing red lights to warn drivers when they need right-of-way, used only when responding to an emergency call or transporting a patient. You may drive faster than posted limits and through red lights or stop signs if you give proper warning using both flashing red lights and siren. Use caution because others may not see or hear your warning. When exceeding limits or driving through signals, consider the condition and use of the highway, the amount of traffic, and the seriousness of the emergency.

• ✓Ambulance flashing red lights are used only for emergency calls or transporting a patient
• ✓Emergency vehicles may exceed speed limits and pass red lights/stop signs only with proper warning using both lights and siren
• ✓Consider highway conditions, traffic and emergency seriousness before exceeding limits

Drivers must recognize regulatory, warning, construction, information/destination, lane use, turn control, parking, reserved lane, railway, and school/playground/crosswalk signs, plus object markers and traffic lights.

• ✓Obey regulatory signs and respond to warning signs
• ✓Follow lane use, turn control and reserved lane signs
• ✓Recognize railway and school/playground/crosswalk signs

Yellow lines separate opposing traffic and white lines separate same-direction lanes. Reserved lane markings and other road markings guide safe lane use and passing.

• ✓Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions
• ✓White lines separate lanes travelling in the same direction
• ✓Do not cross solid lines where passing is prohibited

With air brakes, all brakes apply at the same time and pressure when you step on the pedal. Trailers with electric or vacuum brakes work similarly. Applying brake pressure too forcefully or only applying trailer brakes on slippery roads may cause wheel lockup, skid, or jackknife. Use extra caution braking in a curve. Brakes, tires and suspension work best when legally loaded with proper distribution. Empty cargo areas without ABS may cause wheels to bounce and lock up.

• ✓With air brakes, all brakes apply at the same time and at the same pressure
• ✓Applying brakes too forcefully or only trailer brakes on slippery roads may cause skid or jackknife
• ✓An empty cargo area without ABS can cause wheels to bounce and lock up, increasing stopping distance
• ✓It is difficult to stop a multiple trailer combination in a straight line in an emergency

ABS is mandatory in Canada on all trucks and buses over 4,560 kg manufactured since April 1, 2000 and on all commercial trailers equipped with air brakes. ABS is an addition to a normal air brake system that helps prevent wheel lockup or skids caused by overbraking on slippery road surfaces.

• ✓ABS is mandatory on all trucks and buses over 4,560 kg manufactured since April 1, 2000
• ✓ABS is mandatory on all commercial trailers equipped with air brakes
• ✓ABS helps prevent wheel lockup or skids caused by overbraking on slippery surfaces

To help prevent fires: never start a vehicle with a fuel leak — repair it and absorb spilled fuel, disposing of material properly. Shut off engines when refuelling. Keep the fuel nozzle in contact with the filler pipe to ground the connection, and connect any ground strap to the filler pipe. Recommended safety equipment includes flags or flares, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

• ✓Never start a vehicle with a fuel leak; repair it and clean up the spill
• ✓Shut off the engine when refuelling
• ✓Keep the fuel nozzle in contact with the filler pipe to ground the connection

Transporting dangerous goods requires proper handling and knowledge of spill procedures. The Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) is contacted for dangerous goods incidents and spills.

• ✓Handle and placard dangerous goods according to regulations
• ✓Report dangerous goods spills to the Provincial Emergency Program
• ✓Carry required emergency equipment for dangerous goods

Adjust driving for weather conditions and night driving. Use snow tires and maintain traction. Reduce speed and increase following distance in poor visibility or slippery conditions.

• ✓Reduce speed and increase following distance in poor weather
• ✓Use snow tires and maintain traction in winter conditions
• ✓Use lights properly and reduce speed for night driving

Drivers must use seatbelts and safety equipment, manage personal safety, and avoid road rage. Stay calm and do not engage aggressive drivers.

• ✓Wear seatbelts and use required safety equipment
• ✓Avoid and de-escalate road rage situations
• ✓Carry emergency equipment and warning devices for disabled vehicles

Commercial drivers must meet medical fitness and vision screening standards, with periodic medical examinations (subject to a processing fee). Out-of-province licence holders must meet BC requirements and may need re-examination.

• ✓Meet medical fitness and vision screening qualifications
• ✓Undergo required medical examinations
• ✓Out-of-province licences must be validated and may require re-examination