By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Nanaimo RCMP ‘surprised’ by minimal car crashes during February storm

Feb 14, 2019 | 12:59 PM

NANAIMO — It’s popular to complain about poor drivers in winter time, but Nanaimo RCMP say those behind the wheel did everything right during the recent snowstorm.

RMCP Cst. Gary O’Brien said there were only two reported car crashes in Nanaimo from Sunday, Feb. 9 to Wednesday, Feb. 13.

“People are paying heed to the fact you have to be prepared for these conditions,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW. “You have to go slow, leave distance between yourself and others and you must have winter tires.”

O’Brien said there were numerous accidents which didn’t require police attention.

“We’ve seen cars off the road but people stepped up and pulled them out.”

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Unfortunately, O’Brien said many drivers didn’t take heed of all winter driving warnings.

The driver of a truck was handed a $109 fine for not scraping snow off their bumper which was obstructing their license plate.

He said people leaving in a rush and only wiping snow off parts of their car, often the front windshield, creates a dangerous situation for everyone.

“When the car warms up and hits the brakes, the snow can slide onto the windshield obstructing the view of the driver. (And) when the speeds pick up the snow can fly off and be a risk to other vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.”

A snowfall warning is in effect for Thursday, with five to 10 centimetres expected.

O’Brien said drivers should be careful on the roads and stay home if they can.

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