With the cold weather upon us, Chatham-Kent police are advising drivers to be prepared for adverse road conditions.
This after Ontario Provincial Police say there were 33,334 collisions between December 1 and March 31 this past winter. That's up from 25,953 in the same period in 2012-2013.
"Every accident we take, we look at the tires to see the tread on them to make sure they're not bald and things like this," says Chatham-Kent Police Traffic Sergeant Ed MacLean. "A lot of people are continuing to drive like it's summertime." He says that rain and slippery roads can be just as dangerous as snow and ice.
MacLean expands on the idea of summer vs. winter driving, explaining that adjustments have to be made. "The speed limit could be 50 in an area, but that 50 means its 50km/h in 'ideal conditions,' and not when the conditions have worsened or deteriorated." MacLean also advised to get cars checked for maintenance before the first snow hits, to ensure safety while driving.