With snow squalls in the forecast, the South Bruce (OPP) detachment is sending out a reminder to drivers and vehicle owners to start thinking about safe winter driving.
High winds combined with snowfall can cause serious visibility issues for drivers along the Lake Huron shoreline.
Huron County Ontario Provincial Police members are also asking drivers to be part of the solution to reduce the number of preventable collisions this winter. A news release reports that poor driving behaviour such as driving too fast for conditions, not poor weather or road conditions, is often the primary contributing factor in many winter crashes. Police ask motorists to understand that the way they drive in the winter needs to be very different than how they drive the rest of the year. Officers had already responded to a half-dozen motor vehicle crashes Tuesday morning and the cause usually comes down to drivers failing to adjust their driving habits.
A media release reminds motorists to go slow in the snow, and look far ahead to recognize hazards in advance and have plenty of time to respond. Modern vehicles with all-wheel drive, electronic traction control and snow tires will help you keep control, but they are not a substitute for slowing down.
Motorists should use snow tires, give themselves more time to get to their destination, as well as carry and use a snow brush and ice scraper.
At 2:30 pm Tuesday, Bruce County reported road conditions range from bare and wet, to snow covered and slippery. Squalls are being reported in the Kincardine, Lucknow and Teeswater areas, but visibility is currently good. A snow squall warning is in effect for Huron County, and a snow squall watch for Perth, Southern Bruce, and Northern Wellington Counties.
