Police across Greater Victoria are urging drivers to use caution or avoid driving altogether, as slippery road conditions have led to numerous vehicle collisions Tuesday morning.
Emergency crews are responding to a collision near the 1700-block of the Trans-Canada Highway and another near the 2900-block of Sooke Road, West Shore RCMP said in a tweet around 9 a.m.
Traffic will be slower in these areas, so drivers should “be patient as police and crews attend the scene,” according to RCMP.
In a subsequent tweet, police said, “if you are driving, please give yourself extra time and slow down. Even better, if you can avoid driving today and stay cozy at home please do!”
We are currently attending 2 separate collisions. One near the 1700 block of Trans Canada Hwy and one near the 2900 block of Sooke Rd, traffic will be slower in these areas. Please be patient as police and crews attend the scene.
— West Shore RCMP (@WestshoreRCMP) November 29, 2022
It’s a similar story in Saanich, where officers have responded to “several minor collisions (Tuesday) morning,” Saanich Police said in a tweet at 10:06 a.m. “…please remember to drive relative to the changing weather and road conditions today.”
CHEK News captured a photo of the aftermath of a collision involving two pickup trucks on Prospect Lake Road near Burnside Road.
(Photo: Mackenzie Read/CHEK News)
The warnings follow local weather advisories issued by Environment Canada, including a special weather statement stating a low-pressure system will bring up to five centimetres of snow to Greater Victoria on Tuesday, potentially leading to dangerous driving conditions.
The Malahat from Goldstream to Mill Bay, meanwhile, is currently under a snow warning with even more of the white stuff, up to 10 centimetres, expected to fall, according to the weather agency.
READ ALSO: Winter storm warning: Up to 25 cm of snow is now expected for parts of Vancouver Island
Emcon Services also took to social media, tweeting around 9:40 a.m. that snow was accumulating on highways across the South Island. The road maintenance service echoed police, adding, “Be sure to adjust driving speeds to the changing road conditions.”
Snow is beginning to accumulate on highways across the Southern Vancouver Island service area. Be sure to adjust driving speeds to the changing road conditions. #ShiftIntoWinter #LakeCowichanBC #DuncanBC #Malahat #MillbayBC #ShawniganLakeBC #VictoriaBC #SookeBC @yyjtraffic pic.twitter.com/g35ZhzKMUb
— Emcon Services Inc. – South Island Division (@EmconSouthVI) November 29, 2022
Ethan Morneau
