Paul Simon could have gotten his inspiration for writing “Slip Sliding Away” from an icy morning like this morning (Thurs., Dec. 20) in Timmins.
City Police communications co-ordinator Marc Depatie says the collision reporting centre at headquarters was overrun… and officers were dispatched to several accidents. The most notable were on Government Road, Airport Road, and the one near the McIntyre Arena, where a driver slid through the intersection and hit a light standard.
Depatie says we all have to reacquire driving skills that most Northerners already have.
“We just have to touch base with those skills that we acquire early on,” he comments, “and be a little more patient behind the wheel, understanding that braking distances will increase on a slippery surface as will the need to increase your following distance between yourself and the vehicle that’s immediately in front of you.”
Among this morning’s incidents: a light standard knocked down near The Mac, when an SUV slid through the intersection, as well as a tractor-trailer tipping over on Government Road.
“Thankfully, minor injuries were sustained in one incident,” Depatie remarks, ” but beyond that, most of them were simple fender benders. But nonetheless, preventable situations with a little patience and judgment behind the wheel.”
Depatie says the road surfaces were icy because of mild weather yesterday that became cooler as the temperature dipped below zero overnight.
