The local police departments were kept extremely busy during yesterdays snow storm.
In fact, busy may be an understatement.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service received:
- 23 calls of abandoned vehicles
- 15 motor vehicle collisions
- 46 motor vehicle collisions were deferred to the Collision Reporting Centre (CRC)
- 39 police assistance calls regarding stranded motorists
- 7 towed vehicles from ditches and snowbanks
“The Chatham-Kent Police Service would like to remind all motorists that although visibility is clear today, the roads remain snow covered and very icy,” CKPS officials said. “All drivers are urged to slow down and use caution around abandoned vehicles as crews attempt to remove them. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination today and move over, more than usual, should you see an emergency services vehicle. Let’s keep everyone on our roadways safe today.”
Const. Janine Belanger of the Chatham-Kent OPP said the roads are still very icy.
“We’re still dealing with glaring ice conditions of our roads,” she said. “Traffic is really crawling along the 401… but that is a good thing. People are taking their time.”
Belanger said the OPP did a sweep last night in search of stranded motorists, and everyone was safe.
“By all means, if anyone gets stuck or stranded, call the police to come and help,” she said.
Lambton OPP are still dealing with the storms aftermath as well.
They fielded approximately 75 traffic related calls for service between 12:00 noon March 12, 2014 and 5:30 a.m. March 13, 2014 and another 28 general calls for service during the same time period.
At this time, Lambton OPP continues to work on Plank road in the area of LaSalle road to Petrolia line in particular, to deal with the numerous vehicles that became stuck in the snow and subsequently abandoned by the drivers and passengers.
Motorists are reminded to drive with caution today as road crews, tow truck operators and Lambton OPP continues to deal with the aftermath of yesterday’s storm.
Slow down when approaching emergency service vehicles and watch for OPP officers who will be out on foot checking on vehicles, and directing traffic while tow operators are preparing vehicles to be removed from their current resting places.
Workers from road crews and tow truck operators might be out of their vehicles at these scenes as well, so motorists must use extra caution on the roadways today.
