January 4, 2016
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(HURON COUNTY, ON) – Huron County OPP officers are reminding motorists to always drive according to weather and road conditions after several collisions were investigated by Huron OPP Jan. 3.
Just after 2 p.m., Huron OPP officers and Huron County EMS responded to a report of a single-vehicle rollover collision located on Dashwood Road at the west edge of Dashwood. Police arrived on scene to find an eastbound pick-up truck had left the roadway, entered into the north ditch and rolled over landing on the driver’s side.
Police learned the driver of the truck was attempting to overtake another vehicle on the snow-covered roadway when he lost control of his vehicle. All three occupants in the truck sustained minor injuries. A 19-year-old male driver of Mississauga has been charged with making an unsafe lane change.
Huron OPP officers also responded to a single-motor-vehicle collision in the Town of Goderich that took place around 7:30 p.m. The novice driver was driving on Picton Street East when he slid on the icy road and drove his pick-up truck into a hydro pole guide wire. The truck sustained light damages from the collision.
Huron OPP is reminding motorists that when it comes to winter driving, the message is very simple, “If You See Snow, Go Slow”. Road and weather conditions can change very quickly and at this time of the year, it is very important to remember that the simplest of safe driving strategies can make the difference. Always adjust your driving to current weather and road conditions and always reduce your speed when the roads are not clear.
Huron OPP also remind motorists to be patient when they encounter working plows on the roadways. Here are some safety tips that drivers should take into account should they find themselves behind a snowplow:
Be patient and keep a safe distance behind working snowplows. Plows often travel slowly because they are removing snow, spreading salt or sand, and applying liquid anti-ice to roadways.
Never pass a snowplow. They are wider than the average vehicle with large blades that extend a metre or more ahead and into the neighbouring lane. Passing a snowplow could result in a collision.
Don’t drive beside snowplows. You risk collision as they sometimes shift sideways when they are plowing packed snow or drifts.
Move aside. Snowplows often drive along the centerline of a roadway to remove snow. If you are approaching a snowplow from the opposite direction, be prepared to shift right and leave space so it can pass you safely.
Beware of reduced visibility. Even at reduced plowing speeds, a light powdery snow forms a cloud in the wake of a snowplow that severely restricts a driver’s visibility, making passing extremely dangerous.
Do not pass between snowplows in tandem. On multi-lane roads plows often work in tandem, forming an echelon or “conga line”. Passing or weaving between these plows is dangerous. Please stay well back of echelon plows.
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