Crashes have been a regular occurrence in Nanaimo this week, including this multi-vehicle crunch-up on Jingle Pot Rd. at Wellington Rd. (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

Challenging conditions

Many Nanaimo area drivers struggle adjusting to snow, ICBC claims surge

Feb 6, 2025 | 4:18 PM

NANAIMO — It turned out to be an extra miserable Monday for many Nanaimo area drivers.

A blast of wintry conditions brought well over a foot of snow to the Nanaimo area leading to chaos on the roads with a significant jump in crashes.

ICBC reported a whopping 124 accident claims in the Nanaimo area were made on Monday, Feb 3, while Nanaimo Fire Rescue responded to an unusually high 18 reported motor vehicle incidents that same day.

Prior to the snow, the previous seven-day average number of claims filed to ICBC from the Nanaimo area was 21, according to data supplied by the crown corporation.

ICBC reported claim filings across the province were 40 per cent higher on Sunday, Feb 2 compared to the previous Sunday.

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Some Parksville area motorists evidently had issues navigating their way in the snow with 13 claims for damaged vehicles reported on Monday, Feb 3, compared to the prior seven-day average of just four.

An online Ipsos poll of nearly 630 respondents for ICBC in November found 60 per cent of drivers feel ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ nervous driving in winter conditions.

Ninety-five per cent of respondents reported extreme weather events in recent years made them more likely to take extra precautions such as checking weather and road conditions before venturing out.

Winter driving tips courtesy of ICBC are linked here.

A crash on Terminal Ave. at Comox Rd. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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