WATCH: The forecast called for a significant amount of snow and that’s eactly what we got. It started falling before sunrise in some areas, causing chaos on the roads. And it wasn’t long before emergency crews were swamped with calls. April Lawrence has more.
A lack of winter tires caused quite the mess in Sooke, according to RCMP.
RCMP said they responded to numerous collisions and have found that very few drivers are prepared for the weather with few vehicles having winter tires.
Highway 14 at Lazzar Road near Sooke, looking east, late Friday morning. (BC HighwayCams).
Highway 14 at Lazzar Road near Sooke, looking west, late Friday morning. (BC HighwayCams).
Highway 14 into and leaving Sooke is slippery as are most side roads in the Sooke area. Many of the collisions, including rollovers, have been reported on Gillespie Road. Many people have abandoned their vehicles or are waiting for tow trucks.
Police are asking drivers not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
Snow in Sooke on the morning of Feb. 8, 2019. (Rebecca Rolland).
Winter tires or chains are required on most routes in British Columbia from Oct. 1 to March 31. For select highways, including mountain passes and rural routes in high snowfall areas, the date will be extended until April 30 to account for early-spring snowfall.
On Vancouver Island, the Malahat and Highways 4, 14, and 28 require winter tires. In B.C., regulations state that an appropriate winter tire is defined as one with either the M+S or mountain/snowflake symbol and in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 millimetres.
The areas of the South Coast where winter tires or chains are required. (B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure).
Saanich police said they are also receiving numerous calls for crashes. There were also minor collisions in Nanaimo, the West Shore and up the Malahat.
Current situation on Emily Carr. Bus, meet tree. #YYJ #yyjtraffic pic.twitter.com/20GxdNzqml
— Jim Pearson (@jim_pearson) February 8, 2019
Okay #yyjtraffic let's show the rest of Canada that we can handle some snow! No need to hide yo kids or yo wife , just please take extra time while driving and don't drive unless you have to . We are getting numerous calls for accidents so plz be careful pic.twitter.com/y2Ij5bbCU7
— Saanich PD Traffic (@SPD_Traffic) February 8, 2019
Hearing numerous motor vehicle incidents on the scanner in the #Nanaimo region now with heavy accumulating snow on roads. This SUV into a ditch on Jingle Pot road pic.twitter.com/61pGe3xwuM
— Kendall Hanson (@Kendall_Hanson) February 8, 2019
For the latest road conditions on Vancouver Island, visit Drive BC here.
The aftermath of one of the crashes on Gillespie Road in Sooke on Feb. 8, 2019.
The aftermath of one of the crashes on Gillespie Road in Sooke on Feb. 8, 2019.
The aftermath of one of the crashes on Gillespie Road in Sooke on Feb. 8, 2019.
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