Snow continues to batter Vancouver Island, and those working to keep us safe are doing everything they can to clear the roads.
But dangerous and unnecessary drivers are slowing the process for highway maintenance crews, city workers and police officers.
Emcon Services, one of the highway and bridge maintenance companies that works on Vancouver Island, says they are running with all pistons firing, but it’s not just the snow slowing them down.
“Our crews are all out,” Emcon Service told CHEK News. “We have compound issues as downed power lines and trees do not allow our routes to be completed.”
It says another issue is the unsafe drivers who shouldn’t be on the roads in the first place.
“Travellers are simply not prepared for winter driving, winter tires are not on, speeding as if it’s Summer, driving even after being advised by authorities to stay home,” said Emcon.
Emcon isn’t the only highway maintenance company clearing roads, Mainroad is also out on the streets, doing everything it can to clear the roads to make them safe for drivers.
Both the Saanich and Victoria police departments are asking everyone to stay home if possible, as officers have responded to multiple crashes already.
“A lot of the people on the Island, especially here in Victoria and Greater Victoria, are not going to be aware of what it’s like pulling up behind a snowplow,” said Bowen Osoko, spokesperson for the VicPD.
“People might look outside and say, ‘Oh I have winter tires,” or ‘it’s not that bad’. No, you will lose visibility behind a snowplow right now.”
Victoria city workers are also doing their best to clear the way for drivers and pedestrians, but ask that everyone stay home if they can.
“If you don’t need to leave your home, stay put, that allows us to do our job safely out on the roads and also for your own safety as well,” said Deryk Lee with the City of Victoria Public Works.
On Friday night, the forecasted “significant amount of snow” fell on Greater Victoria and many parts of Vancouver Island.
According to Environment Canada, the Island is enduring a cold snap, and the snow could continue to fall throughout the weekend.
READ MORE: Significant amounts of snow expected across Vancouver Island on Friday night
Rebecca Lawrence
Ben Nesbit
