Richmond RCMP, in collaboration with ICBC, the City of Richmond and Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) recently conducted a demonstration to highlight the impact of vehicle size and speed on stopping distances.
The demonstration was meant to promote safer driving practices and prevent collisions involving large vehicles.
"Speed is a major contributing factor in many collisions we attend. Our officers witness the severe consequences of these incidents, whether it’s the loss of a loved one or significant life-altering injuries," said Sgt. Eric Baskette, NCO-in-Charge of Richmond RCMP Road Safety Units.
"This demonstration is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance road safety in Richmond. By sharing these findings, we aim to prevent avoidable collisions and increase awareness among all road users."
The vehicles used in the demonstration were typical of those operated on Richmond roads, with tests conducted under both wet and dry road conditions.
The results revealed the differences in stopping distances based on vehicle type and road conditions:
Dry Road Results
|
Vehicle Type |
Speed |
Stopping Distance (metres) |
|
Tandem * |
57 km/hr |
13.4 |
|
Single ** |
57 km/hr |
18.1 |
|
Bus |
64 km/hr |
22.5 |
|
1-ton truck |
59 km/hr |
19 |
Wet Road Results
|
Vehicle Type |
Speed |
Stopping Distance (metres) |
|
Tandem * |
58 km/hr |
14 |
|
Single ** |
61 km/hr |
24 |
|
Bus |
64 km/hr |
22.2 |
|
1-ton truck |
60 km/hr |
32.4 |
*A tandem refers to a vehicle with two axles with four or more wheels in total, such as a dump truck that has a second trailer attached.
** A single refers to a vehicle with a single axle with two or more wheels, such a dump truck with no additional trailers.
"These results demonstrate that larger vehicles require more time to stop," Baskette said. "We encourage everyone to respect the posted speed limits and drive according to road conditions. Factors such as rain or snow can significantly impact a driver’s ability to stop safely."
"Keeping our residents and staff safe is paramount," said Kam Dadwal, fleet training manager with the City of Richmond. "Our drivers undertake comprehensive training before getting behind the wheel of a fleet vehicle, and partnering with Richmond RCMP and ICBC on this demonstration allowed us to share critical information and promote safer driving practices throughout Richmond."
Extensive safety precautions and measures were in place to ensure this demonstration was completed in a safe manner, RCMP explained.
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