The first slippery day hit Vanderhoof and Fraser Lake on Thursday, October 31. There were eight motor vehicle incidents before noon on Highway 16, Kenney Dam road and several side roads. As well as several incidents in the Fraser Lake area.
The injuries sustained were all minor and the majority of vehicles had winter tires on. It was just the black ice and people not driving for the conditions according to Vanderhoof RCMP Detachment Commander Sergeant Jason Keays.
Keays met with YRB and local stakeholders on Tuesday and the YRB informed him that they were ready for the winter season with stockpiles of sand and salt.
The most important lesson to take away from Thursday's incidents according to Sgt. Keays is that people should be driving for the conditions of that day. He suggests using the DriveBC website to check current conditions as well as make use of the webcams available. He uses it all the time.
One webcam is conveniently placed near Bednesti Lake Resort so anyone making the trip to Prince George can check conditions for Highway 16.
Every police vehicle has winter tires on, with studs if possible, and so should the public's vehicles be equipped. One easy way to check is to see if the tires have the mountain and snowflake symbols on them.
Sgt. Keays also recommended keeping a safe driving distance behind other vehicles as well as braking and accelerating slowly.
He also said to give plough trucks plenty of room and to never pass them on the right, a move he sees every year.
An emergency kit is especially important to keep in the vehicle in the North said Keays. A basic kit should include food, blankets, first aid supplies and a flashlight. Kits like this will help because people may find themselves stuck in a cellphone dead zone and unable to call for help right away.