Wet weather caused Port Coquitlam roads to become slippery after snow mixed with rain took several Lower Mainland commuters by surprise earlier this week.
This is prompting Mounties to remind local residents to "shift into winter" as the local detachment believes this is what led to a three-vehicle pile-up along the Mary Hill Bypass on Tuesday (Dec. 14) and resulted in one driver being transported to hospital.
In a statement to the Tri-City News, spokesperson Cpl. Paige Kuz explained the collision took place before 2:50 p.m. near Highway 7B's intersection with Pitt River Road.
A vacuum truck and a pick-up were among the vehicles reportedly involved and the accident backed up eastbound traffic beyond tHighway 1 at Cape Horn and, at one point, as far back as the Lougheed Highway exit.
As result of the incident, one fine was issued to a driver for "following too closely," Kuz added.
According to the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act, drivers are given a $109 ticket for this driving infraction.
The first driver's injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening and no other injuries were reported to RCMP.
BE PREPARED
As of this publication (Dec. 16), Environment Canada has issued a second special weather statement in four days for the Tri-Cities.
The national service is calling for up to five centimetres of snow over higher-elevated areas this weekend, which includes those in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
"A strong Pacific frontal system will move onto the B.C. south coast on Friday night (Dec. 17) bringing rain to much of the region," the alert reads.
"Temperatures will be cold enough to keep snow levels around 200 to 300 metres."
Coquitlam RCMP are asking commuters to drive to the conditions and slow down on all roads when it's raining or snowing as "the posted speed limit is the maximum speed under ideal conditions."
Other provided winter-preparation tips are as follows:
- Make sure all four of your tires are winter rated and in good condition
- When it’s a dark wintery day, or it’s raining or snowing, turn on your headlights
- Taillights don’t activate when you have your daytime running lights on
