OUTLOOK - With the hopeful 'last gasp' of winter that the Outlook and surrounding area got at the end of last week, the Saskatchewan RCMP is urging drivers to check road conditions before traveling in the event that poor weather makes a return somewhere down the line.
During the brief winter return, conditions were so poor that a multi-vehicle collision near Outlook on Highway 45 had authorities telling the public to avoid the area while emergency crews worked to clear the scene.
It was said that between the hours of 10 a.m. on March 27 and 10 a.m. on March 28, the RCMP's Division Operational Communications Centre received 80 traffic-related reports, including 38 collisions, which emphasized the danger of the hazardous conditions as roads were snow-covered and travel was not recommended in some regions.
In a media statement, Supt. Grant St. Germaine, in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services, stressed the need for motorists to make smart decisions if they needed to travel in poor weather conditions.
“Whatever your plans are this weekend, if they involve potential travel, make safe decisions,” he said. “If it’s dangerous, stay home. Drive according to road conditions. I’ve seen many motorists driving too fast for the poor road conditions, even if they were below the speed limit. Don’t be that person who jeopardizes the safety of those in your vehicle and others on the road.”
Travellers can monitor updated road conditions and check which routes have been plowed, salted, or sanded by visiting hotline.gov.sk.ca/map.
