REGINA — Beginning this afternoon and continuing overnight, snow and rain are anticipated throughout many areas of Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan RCMP warn that road conditions and visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of being on the road.
The provincial police force offers advice to keep travellers safe.
Before travelling, check the weather and road conditions along your route on Saskatchewan Highway Hotline. If poor weather or road conditions exist or are forecasted, consider delaying travel if possible. If travel is necessary, stay on roads that have recently received road maintenance. Travellers can access information on road conditions and track what roads have been plowed, salted, and/or sanded within the last two hours at hotline.gov.sk.ca/map.
If you determine it’s safe to head out, please consider the following winter driving tips:
· Scrape all the ice off your windows before driving – if you can't see, you can't drive safely!
· Remove all snow from your vehicle, including from your headlights, taillights and roof.
· Slow down on slippery or snowy roads.
· Be gentle and smooth when you accelerate, brake or steer.
· Using cruise control on icy or snowy roads can be dangerous! If you skid, your vehicle will accelerate and rapidly spin its wheels as it tries to maintain a constant speed.
· Be prepared for anything: consider stocking your vehicle with extra warm clothes, candles, matches, non-perishable snacks, a snow shovel, traction mats, booster cables and a tow rope or chain.
· If you become stranded on the highway, do not leave your vehicle! Turn on your vehicle periodically to warm up, but try to conserve fuel. Make sure your tailpipe remains clear of ice and snow, or carbon monoxide could potentially seep into your vehicle.
Saskatchewan RCMP advise travellers to stay safe as we enter into the winter driving season. For more information on how to prepare for winter driving, visit Saskatchewan RCMP: take precautions when hitting the road during winter weather | Royal Canadian Mounted Police (rcmp-grc.gc.ca)
