A snowy morning brought difficult driving conditions to York Region roads, resulting in numerous motor vehicle collisions and slow-moving traffic.

Between midnight and 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, York Regional Police received reports of 121 collisions, of which 36 were handled by staff at the Community Resource Centre. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, however many of these collisions could have been avoided if drivers had adjusted their driving habits to the weather.

The leading causes of collisions on snow-covered roads include:

• Driving too fast for the conditions. A driver traveling at 40 kilometres per hour on dry roads will need about 20 metres to stop. On a snow-covered road, that distance, more than doubles to 42 metres. As speed increases, so does stopping distance.
• Following too closely. Collision avoidance maneuvers are less effective on snow-covered roads than on dry roads. Leaving more space between you and the vehicle in front provides more time and distance to take that important evasive action.
• Improper tires. Many collisions which involve a loss of control are the result of worn tires. Worn tires can cause a vehicle to quickly and unexpectedly rotate into a sideways slide, exposing the occupants to a highly-dangerous side impact. Winter tires are the best choice for maximum control and traction.
• Obstructed view. Not only is it important to clear all your windows of ice and snow before heading out, but it is equally important to be aware of other view obstructions. Heavy snowfalls result in high snow banks which can easily obstruct a driver’s view. Use caution when exiting driveways or when approaching intersections. Snow banks can easily hide a small car or pedestrian.