First Blast Takes Its Toll

Monday, November 05, 2007 04:07 AM

Truck rests on its side in the ditch along Highway 97 ( photo opinion250 staff)

Prince George, B.C. – There was mixed reaction to the weekend weather. Some celebrated the arrival of snow and young people were heading to the hills with snow boards, skis and toboggans. On the other side, there were plenty of accidents. Dozens of crashes kept RCMP busy clearing roadways. The City’s sanding crews were on the roads, but the plows weren’t visible in many areas of the City until Sunday.

There were vehicles in the ditch, throughout the city and on the highways. Towing companies were so busy they had a four hour delay time to answer calls. Vehicles that were in the ditch and not blocking traffic were put to the bottom of the priority list.

The RCMP advised that if people were driving without winter tires, they could be facing a fine.

At least one flight was cancelled at the Prince George airport, as a Saturday evening flight to Vancouver was a no go.

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Posted on Monday, November 05, 2007 04:07 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Norm1 on November 5 2007 6:44 AM

First hand experience tells me that a minimum of 4 inbound flights were cancelled on Saturday due to weather in Prince George. This included one flight that nearly got here but had to turn back due to poor visibility.

We eventually got a flight 24 hours after our intial booking.

Long gone are the days of free hotels provided due to air travel interruptions.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on November 5 2007 7:38 AM

Free hotel stays are still available.

Just let them know when you purchase your travel ticket that you want a free hotel room as well, and the cost will be added to your total ticket price. Even the bus companies and the taxis will do this for you.

Posted by: metalman on November 5 2007 8:49 AM

You mean thare is no free lunch YDPC?
metalman.

Posted by: ontwin on November 5 2007 8:59 AM

Why do we have the same BS every yr when the first snow flies????? We live up North and we get snow.The amounts may vary and the date may vary but we GET SNOW!!! Why do people have to be told slow down,drive for the conditions,curtail travel (if necessary) and may sure your vehicle is winterized.If you've lived through more than 2 winters here it should be rote to you.It is always laughable when the after the first snow of the year the Citizen has a pic of usually a SUV or 4x4 vehicle off in the toolies,tires in the air..snow tires do not make you a better driver. All the sanders and plows being out will not make better drivers out of you.It will just give you a false sense of security because now you can see the pavement and will drive as usual...badly!On the other hand,in the summer its slow down,drive for the conditions and you still can't drive.The weather isn't the common denominator here..think about it.

Posted by: Chadermando on November 5 2007 2:51 PM

I disagree. The first snow fall of the year is always the worste because the plow trucks are never ready and the snow is always wet, so it is always far more slippery in the first snow fall then it is the rest of the winter when snow plows are ready to go, sand is already on the road, and the snow is a more dry snow that does not glaze as easily.

People seem to think road conditions in November are like they are in January and that just is not the case. November is always far worse.

The big questionis why is YRB in PG never ready for the first snow fall of the year? How come they don't have this same problem in YRB Vanderhoof or HMC Quesnel when they have the same snow storms as we do?

Posted by: northman on November 5 2007 4:27 PM

99.9% of accidents can be avoied or else they would not be accidents.. Regardless of the road conditions. Its not the plow or sand trucks fault if the snow is wet or the road is slippery. As a driver its your responsibility to adjust your driving to the conditions or forget the trip all together if necessary if you cant do that then you shouldnt be driving in the first place.

Posted by: redneck on November 5 2007 7:07 PM

I drove the highway between Prince George and Vanderhoof on Saturday and counted 23 vehicles in accidents two of which looked pretty serious.Why cant people get their foot off the gas peddle?Everyone of those accidents were do to excessive speed for the road conditions.

Posted by: pisspulper on November 5 2007 8:06 PM

Be careful, the idiots crashing now are driving in the summer also!!!!

Posted by: Harbinger on November 5 2007 8:33 PM

Some pick up trucks have a logo "Off Road" stenciled on the side of the boxes. Is there a message there?