Postpone travel plans if possible: RCMP

Recent snow and freezing rain have led to tricky conditions on many roads and highways across Saskatchewan, and RCMP asked drivers to delay their travel plans, if possible.

“Road conditions continue to be poor in some parts of the province and some road closures are still in place,” RCMP said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.

“If you can, postpone your travel plans. If not, before travelling, please check road conditions/closures along your planned route on the Highway Hotline.”

Between 12 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. Wednesday, the Saskatchewan RCMP communications centre has fielded 59 reports of collisions and 37 weather-related reports for incidents like vehicles driven into ditches.

One of those calls was for a jack-knifed semi and trailer near Kindersley, which caused issues on Highway 7, RCMP noted.

In another weather-related incident, RCMP said a tow truck operator was hooking up to a semi that had become stuck on Highway 1 near Beverley Tuesday evening when another semi collided with the tow truck and the stuck semi. Three people were taken to hospital as a result, RCMP said.

Cindy Remple, owner and 24-hour dispatcher for Low Cost Towing in Swift Current, said one of her operators was injured in that crash.

“(The operator) was underneath the truck that he was assisting, trying to fix an air line, when that truck and our heavy wrecker was struck by another semi tractor trailer unit.”

Remple said the operator is currently recovering at home. He suffered no broken bones, but was left feeling very sore. She said his vehicle was severely damaged.

The entire incident was easily preventable, Remple added.

“There’s a reason there’s lights flashing on the side of the road,” she said. “There’s a law that says ‘slow to 60 and move over.’ Our truck was clearly visible, lights all flashing.”

If travel plans can’t be postponed, RCMP encouraged all drivers to take precautions to help ensure they arrive safely. Those included scraping all windows and removing snow from the vehicle, including the headlights, taillights and roof, going slowly on any slippery or snow-covered roads, avoiding the use of cruise control (which can be dangerous on slippery surfaces), and trying to be as smooth and gentle as possible when accelerating, braking and turning.

“Be prepared for anything,” RCMP added. “Consider stocking your vehicle with extra warm clothes, candles, matches, non-perishable snacks, a snow shovel, traction mats, booster cables and a tow rope or chain.”

If a driver becomes stranded, RCMP emphasized that the best thing they can do is to stay with the vehicle until help arrives.

“Turn on your vehicle periodically to warm up, but try to conserve fuel,” RCMP said. “Make sure your tailpipe remains clear of ice and snow, or carbon monoxide could potentially seep into your vehicle.”