Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging drivers to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary, as snowfall warnings are in place in Eastern Lambton County, Elgin County and Lonon-Middlesex.
While investigating a motorist that went into the center media on the 402 east of Center road an OPP cruiser was struck by a passing motorist.
The scene involved a tow truck assisting the motorist with its amber lights activated. An OPP cruiser with its emergency lights activated. A second OPP cruiser with its emergency lights activated and flares set up behind the second cruiser. The initial collision was minor in nature with the first vehicle. Once that vehicle was cleared out of the way a second vehicle struck the rear of the cruiser causing serious damage.
The officer involved attended hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The two drivers that struck the OPP cruiser have been charged with Careless driving contrary to section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act.
The current winter storm features high winds, snow and pockets of very poor visibility. Once again, Middlesex OPP is recommending non-essential travel be postponed until the storm ends.
First little flurry and the OPP is urging us to stay off the roads. If snow tires were mandatory, we would all be safer on the roads while saving costly deductibles from ending up in the ditch.
My $1000 snow tires last 10 years. That’s a whole lot of prevented accidents and deductibles. Please think about it next time you hear people complain about “How slippery the roads are”.