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More than 400 collisions on slippery GTA highways: OPP

Today's barrage of freezing rain, ice pellets and snow took its toll on drivers
2018-03-20-police-lights-AB
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Today's barrage of freezing rain, ice pellets and snow took its toll on drivers in the GTA, with more than 400 collisions occurring, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

GTA OPP responded to half of the reported 400 collisions beginning this morning, Sunday, Dec. 1, while some drivers reported directly to collision centres or called tow trucks, according to Sgt. Kerry Schmidt.

A 24-year-old woman from St. Catharines was killed when her Jeep collided with a transport truck this morning on the slippery QEW, Schmidt said.

He cautioned drivers to continue to exercise caution on the road, with snow and slush still creating slippery conditions on highway shoulders, ramp and side streets.

"We're seeing far too many vehicles spinning out because they're going too fast, or because they're overcorrecting and panicking, when hitting some snow or slush or changing lanes," Schmidt said on a live video tonight on social media.

"It gets extremely frustrating when you see people doing stupid things on the highways," he added, including driving the wrong way, driving into construction lanes and cutting into a moving traffic lane when stopped in another lane.

He had two other reminders for motorists: turn on your full headlight system, and slow down and move over when you see the flashing lights of first responders' vehicles, tow trucks and snow plows.

"We all want to get home at the end of our shift," Schmidt said.

Flurries are forecast to end late in the morning tomorrow.


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Debora Kelly

About the Author: Debora Kelly

Debora Kelly is NewmarketToday's editor. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional who is passionate about building strong communities through engagement, advocacy and partnership.
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