BC Road Emergency Cheat Sheet (Learner‑Friendly Guide)

First 10 seconds: what to do in any emergency

• Stay calm and hold the wheel. Sudden moves can cause loss of control.
• Ease off the accelerator; don’t slam the brakes unless immediate stopping is required.
• Signal and move to safety if possible—onto the shoulder or a safe area. ^[1]
• Turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. ^[1]

Prevent most emergencies before you drive

• Check road and weather conditions before your trip. Bad weather reduces traction and visibility. ^[6]
• Slow down and increase following distance on wet, icy or snowy roads. ^[1]
• Never use cruise control in wet or slippery conditions. ^[1]
• Ensure your vehicle has winter tires or chains from October 1 to April 30 on most B.C. highways (some routes end March 31). ^[4]

Emergency kit (carry these in your vehicle)

PreparedBC and ICBC recommend keeping a “grab-and-go” kit in your vehicle. ^{[3] [2]} Include:

• Ready-to-eat food, water and a phone charger. ^[3]
• Small radio, flashlight and extra batteries. ^[3]
• First-aid kit, personal medications and personal items (spare glasses, etc.). ^[3]
• Copies of important documents (insurance, ID) and some cash. ^[3]
• Local map, seasonal clothing, emergency blanket/sleeping bag and whistle. ^[3]
• For the car: windshield scraper, snow brush, flares, lighter/matches, candles, shovel, traction mat or sand, jumper cables and tow rope. ^[3]

How to handle specific emergencies

Vehicle or engine breakdown

• Signal and steer to the edge of the road, avoiding bridges or tunnels. ^[1]
• Turn on your hazard lights and set up flares or a warning triangle if visibility is poor. ^[1]
• Stay with your vehicle; put an SOS sign in the window and call for help. ^[1]
• Never accept a ride from a stranger; ask them to call for assistance. ^[1]

Tire blowout

• Hold the steering wheel firmly—your vehicle may pull toward the blown tire. ^[1]
• Do not brake suddenly; ease off the accelerator and let the car slow down. ^[1]
• Once the vehicle slows, brake gently, signal or use hazard lights and steer off the road when safe. ^[1]

Skid on snow or ice

• Ease off the accelerator. ^[1]
• Look where you want to go and steer smoothly in that direction. ^[1]
• Do not brake—braking can worsen the skid. ^[1]
• You may need to repeat the steering corrections until control is regained. ^[1]

Hydroplaning (tires float on water)

• Reduce speed before driving through large puddles. ^[1]
• If hydroplaning occurs, decelerate and drive straight; never brake. ^[1]

Brake failure

• Stay calm and look ahead for an escape route. ^[1]
• Pump the brakes hard and fast—this may restore some braking. ^[1]
• Shift to the lowest gear so the engine helps slow you down. ^[1]
• Apply the parking brake gently and gradually; be ready to release if the vehicle skids. ^[1]
• Use hazard lights or the horn to warn other drivers. ^[1]

Headlight failure at night

• Switch the light control on and off quickly. ^[1]
• If lights stay off, turn on hazard lights, slow down and pull off the road for help. ^[1]

Hood flies up and blocks your view

• Look through the crack below the hood or out the side window to see where you’re going. ^[1]
• Take your foot off the accelerator and turn on hazard lights. ^[1]
• Pump the brakes to warn drivers behind you and steer to the side of the road. ^[1]

Gas pedal sticks

• Apply the brake and continue braking. ^[1]
• Look for an escape path off the road. ^[1]
• Shift to neutral to disconnect the engine from the wheels. ^[1]
• Follow your escape path; once stopped, turn off the engine and do not restart it. ^[1]

Vehicle catches fire

• Stop immediately and get everyone out of the vehicle. ^[1]
• Do not open the hood, as this can feed the fire. ^[1]
• Move well away from the vehicle and call for help. ^[1]

Animals on the road

ICBC notes that animals are a major hazard in B.C. and offers two sets of strategies:

Prevent a collision

• Scan the sides of the road ahead for animals and look for crossing signs. ^[1]
• Slow down in farming or wooded areas, and be extra cautious at dusk and dawn. ^[1]
• Watch for reflections of headlights in animals’ eyes and remember that animals often travel in groups. ^[1]

If an animal is directly in your path

• Check your rear-view mirror to see if stopping suddenly is safe. ^[1]
• Assess whether you can stop or steer around the animal; slow down but do not slam the brakes. ^[1]
• Leave a wide margin when steering around an animal—frightened animals move unpredictably. ^[1]
• If the animal is large and you cannot stop, brake firmly and steer to strike at an angle, then ease off the brake just before impact. ^[1]

If you’re in a crash

Step 1 – Safety

• If anyone is injured, call 911. ^[5]
• Move the vehicles off the road if it’s safe to do so. ^[5]
• Avoid discussing who is responsible for the crash. ^[5]

Step 2 – Collect information

For all drivers and vehicles involved, record: name and contact details; driver’s licence number and province/state; licence plate number; vehicle year, make and model; and insurance details (especially if the vehicle is not from B.C.). ^[5]

Step 3 – Look for witnesses

Record names and contact information of any witnesses. ^[5]

Step 4 – Describe the crash scene

Note the date, time, location, weather and road conditions, directions of travel and lane positions; take photos if safe. ^[5]

Step 5 – Report your claim

Contact ICBC online or by phone to report the crash. ^[5]

Quick “Do / Don’t” summary

• DO slow down and leave extra space in rain, snow or fog. ^[1]
• DO turn on hazard lights when your vehicle is moving unusually slow or stopped. ^[1]
• DO stay with your vehicle if you break down on an isolated road. ^[1]
• DON’T slam the brakes during a skid or hydroplaning. ^[1]
• DON’T open the hood if the vehicle is on fire. ^[1]
• DON’T discuss fault at the crash scene. ^[5]