52 collisions in 27 hours keep police busy

Police officers have responded to 52 collisions over a 27-hour period, said Greater Sudbury POlice Service Const. Meghan O'Malley.

Between 7 a.m. on Jan. 22 and 10 a.m. on Jan. 23, officers were kept busy attending those crashes while fighting extreme cold temperatures that, at times, dipped to -45 C with the windchill.

Driver error is to blame for those crashes, O'Malley said. While the weather can play a factor in collisions, what it really boils down to is the fact drivers aren't practising proper winter driving behaviours, she said, and speed is a major issue.

"That's a high number, which is why we're urging motorists to slow down. We know there are sections of road that are very slippery, where there is blowing snow, and where there is reduced visibility from the exhaust from vehicles in front of you."

Luckily, none of the crashes resulted in any life-threatening injuries, she said.

That was the case on The Kingsway this morning, when a three-vehicle crash closed the road to traffic near Kitchener Ave. One person was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Kingsway has since been reopened, but Greater Sudbury Police Services is using this incident as a reminder to motorists to use extreme caution while driving in freezing temperatures.

The roadways are slippery with black ice that is difficult to see. Allow enough distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

Temperatures are expected to fall down to -50C with the windchill overnight. Police says it's best to stay off the roads unless necessary.