Be prepared for winter driving

By Irene van der Kloet
Though technically winter is here on December 21, winter has announced its arrival. This week,
the area south of Edmonton was hit with heavy snowfall; in an instant, roads became
treacherous. Motorists need to be prepared for all situations at all times, but the reality shows
that this is not always the case; with the recent mild, almost balmy weather the Smoky Lake
area has enjoyed, motorists may have been deceived by the weather and not been prepared for
harsh winter conditions. The roads were clean apart from a tiny skiff of snow. But motorists
travel, and it is an unpleasant and dangerous surprise to enter from a small skiff of snow into the
foot of snow, or more that central Alberta was dumped with this week. Especially along Highway
2, municipalities reported collisions and poor road conditions. Leduc RCMP immediately gave
out a list of warnings for motorists driving in winter weather:
Keep your headlights on at all times;
Ensure your vehicle is in a safe mechanical condition;
Never use cruise control in winter conditions;
It is not recommended to drive in winter conditions with summer tires (so get winter tires);
On a wet or slick surface, allow yourself at least three times the normal following distance to
stop. (When someone passes you and creeps into the space you gave yourself, slow down to
increase the distance.)
Remember, bridge decks may be slippery even when other parts of the highway are not.
Innisfail reported approximately 12 collisions in their area, with four semi trucks stuck on the
Northbound off ramp due to the icy roadway and an inability to climb the hill. Didsbury saw a
serious accident with a school bus rollover with 2 teachers and 9 students on board. Five were
taken by ambulance to local hospitals for various injuries, some considered severe but not life-
threatening. Ponoka reported of a ten-vehicle pile-up. Accidents like these could also happen on
other busy highways, like Highway 28. Even if a motorist does not get involved in an accident,
they may get caught in a treacherous situation when their vehicle breaks down. For this
situation, RCMP recommends carrying an emergency kit containing a blanket or sleeping bag,
extra clothing and footwear, emergency non-perishable food, a candle in a deep tin, waterproof
matches, a first-aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, a fire extinguisher, booster cable, ice
scraper, snow brush, paper towels or rags, a road map, compass, sand or road salt or kitty litter,
and a shovel. In case of a breakdown, the most important thing is to stay safe, stay out of the
elements, keep warm, and try to get help as soon as possible. Be prepared for winter, and let’s
hope it’s not needed.