​Kincardine area’s first blast of snow catches people by surprise

The first blast of snow hit the Kincardine area overnight Tuesday, catching people by surprise and scrambling to find their snow brushes, shovels, boots, coats and gloves.

Halloween night was cold and snowy, bringing a couple of inches of heavy, wet snow that coated roadways, driveways and vehicles by Wednesday morning.

The forecast calls for warmer temperatures and rain into the weekend.



Heavy, wet snow along Kennard Crescent, Kincardine, Wednesday morning



Meanwhile, the South Bruce OPP reports that officers were kept busy, responding to motor vehicle collisions.

Between 3 p.m. Oct. 31, and 7:06 a.m. Nov. 1, the South Bruce OPP responded to nine crashes in addition to other calls for service. There were no injuries reported at any of the accident scenes.

The snow came a lot earlier this year, but when it snows, motorists have to adjust their driving, not just for their own safety, but for the safety of all road users, say police.

The South Bruce OPP is offering the following tips to help keep you safe when driving in winter:
 

• Slow down and adjust your driving to the current road and weather conditions.
• Allow extra time to travel to and from destinations.
• Leave extra space between vehicles, since stopping distances are more than double on snow or ice-covered roads.
• Stay alert, focus on the road, and avoid sudden braking, accelerating, or steering.
• Engage your full set of headlights during the winter months. Note that your automatic daylight running lights do not engage your rear tail-lights, making it difficult for drivers behind you to see your vehicle in adverse weather.
• Never stop on the roadway. If possible, park your vehicle well off the roadway and stay in it until rescuers arrive.

"Each year, officers respond to collisions during winter months,” says inspector Keegan Wilcox, detachment commander of the South Bruce OPP. “Particularly during the first snowfall, we find the cause to be travelling too fast for conditions. Anti-lock brakes, electronic traction control and snow tires are all good, but reducing your speed is the safest way to drive on winter roads. Remember - if you see snow, go slow."



Snow on the trees and along the roadway, in front of Ripley-Huron Community School, Wednesday afternoon



Snow beside the parking lot at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, Wednesday afternoon