Snow-covered, icy roads lead to messy road conditions

LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS1130) – The local roads have been a mess today, thanks to the snow.

Quite a few routes are difficult to get through, especially the side streets, where the snow has really built up.

Along the major routes, it’s overall pretty slick, but there are sections along Highway 1 where it’s clear; crews have done a good job getting the solution onto the road.

There are stretches where it’s moving really well, but there are icy patches all over the place that are catching people off-guard; cars have been spinning out and going into ditches all day.

You’re advised to leave lots of extra time to get where you’re going and to also leave lots of space between your car and others while on the road.

“Keep your speed down. Today is not a day to speed limit. Today is to take your time and drive for those road conditions,” says Ken Cousin with BCAA.

“If you don’t have to go out [or] you don’t have winter tires, it’s best to wait for the snow to pass,” he adds.

One of the biggest complaints from drivers today has been blowing snow from the car in front of them.

‘Igloos-on-wheels’

Allan Lamb, associate director of the Pacific Traffic Education Centre with the Justice Institute of BC tells us people don’t realize just how dangerous snow on their cars can be.

“It’s hard to see you, you’d have snow blowing off your vehicle and, most importantly, snow would fly into your windshield and therefore, be a barrier for you to see properly in front of you. In a split second, something could happen to you.”

“Cleaning off lights, whether they be headlights or tail lights… even without snow, I always clean mine off every couple of days, just to make sure you’re getting as much visibility in front of you as possible,” he adds.

He says all it takes is one wrong move for things to turn deadly on our roadways.

The sidewalks have also been very slick, especially when you’re going downhill, when a slow shuffle can feel like you’re standing on a skating rink. Many people have been slipping and just catching their balance before falling.

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