(LONDON, ON) – Another winter storm, albeit small in nature and another 248 collisions investigated since 6:00 a.m. today. Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) members were kept busy all morning responding another rash of collisions on area roadways.
If there is a silver lining to any of these preventable crashes, it is that there have been no serious injuries or fatalities reported. This does not however diminish the demand that this puts on emergency services everywhere.
The common denominators in today’s crashes have been speed too fast for road and weather conditions, following too close and failure to have suitable winter tires on. “When you see snow, go slow!†– Sgt. David Rektor
Members of the OPP Highway Safety Division were on the 403 Highway this morning and observed three separate motorists taking pictures on their cell phones of an overturned transport truck, while they were driving. All three were subsequently charged for using a cellular telephone while driving which is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act. “The action of these three drivers puts the lives of all emergency service workers in peril and highlights another reason why people end up in the ditch on snowy days.†– Traffic Staff Sergeant Shawn Johnson.
The OPP remind all citizens not to call the OPP Dispatch or any other Emergency Service Dispatch to get road and weather conditions. EMS dispatch must only be used to report emergencies or summons help for incidents.