Thunder Bay Police have responded to at least 18 vehicle collision calls since rush hour began on Thursday night.
Police spokesman Chris Adams laid the blame squarely on the gas pedals of motorists not obeying the winter weather, with several centimeters of snow covering streets throughout the city.
“There were also a number of people in the ditch, but this is also an indication to our traffic unit that folks aren’t driving to the conditions and they need to slow down,” Adams said.
At least one vehicle went off the road on the Thunder Bay Expressway, taking out one of the newly installed light standards put up last year.
Drivers have to remember stopping times lengthen when roads are slick, and adjustments need to be made to driving habits, he continued.
“Coming up to stop signs are tricky, especially if the surfaces have not been plowed or sanded,” Adams said.
“People should really give themselves a great deal of distance and time before they hit the brakes when they come up to a stop. They should not follow too closely. They should allow lots of distance between themselves and the vehicles ahead of them.”
In other weather-related news, the OPP reminds smowmobilers that local lakes and rivers are not frozen enough to hold the weight of the machines, and caution people to stay off until the ice is at least three inces for walking, five inches for a snowmobile, eight to 12 inches for a car or small pick-up and 12 to 15 inches for a medium-sized pick-up.
