FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — We may have enjoyed an unseasonably warm autumn so far, but the RCMP is warning drivers that winter has arrived on the roads whether it feels like it or not.
Wood Buffalo RCMP says icy conditions, freezing rain and patches of black ice are already making travel unpredictable across the region. Officers are urging motorists to slow down, leave extra room to stop and stay alert for sudden changes in traction, particularly on bridges, overpasses and shaded stretches of highway.
Police say winter driving requires gentler steering, braking and acceleration to avoid skids. They also recommend clearing all windows and lights before heading out and installing proper winter tires as early as possible, since they offer far better grip on cold or icy surfaces.
Mounties say collisions and sliding incidents tend to increase quickly once the first real ice sets in. Drivers involved in a crash are advised to stay calm, switch on hazard lights and, if the vehicle can still move, pull over to a safe location away from traffic. Police say people should check for injuries, call 911 when necessary and remain inside the vehicle if stepping out poses a danger. Information and photos should only be exchanged when it is safe to do so.
Officers say that in minor collisions with no injuries, moving vehicles out of live lanes helps prevent secondary crashes. They add that knowing what to do after a crash is as important as preparing for one, especially as winter conditions settle in across Wood Buffalo.
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