In the midst of this week’s snowstorm, two significant collisions involving commercial vehicles took place in Northern Ontario, resulting in lengthy highway closures on Highway 11.
Four commercial vehicle drivers have been charged with careless driving as a result of these two incidents.
“The OPP urges all drivers, particularly those operating large vehicles, to exercise extreme caution in winter conditions,” they said in a media release.
“Reduce your speed, increase following distances, and avoid sudden manoeuvers when snow or ice is present on roadways. Stay informed of road and weather conditions and only travel when necessary.”
The first incident took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, when James Bay OPP officers were conducting traffic control on Highway 11 in Driftwood while a vehicle was being towed from the ditch.
During this effort, a stationary commercial vehicle was struck from behind by another commercial vehicle.
The driver, a 20-year-old from Saskatoon, was charged with careless driving causing bodily harm. Their passenger sustained a serious, non life-threatening injury and was transported to hospital by ambulance.
Approximately one hour later at 10:30 a.m., James Bay OPP responded to a collision approximately 120 kilometres west of Hearst on Highway 11 involving six commercial vehicles. Three drivers were charged with careless driving in this incident, including a 31-year-old from Cambridge, a 30-year-old from Brampton and a 29-year-old from Brampton.
Although Highway 11 was cleared in both directions by 4 p.m. Wednesday, OPP report that weather and road conditions remain challenging across the James Bay area.
In their media release, the OPP pledged to “continue enforcing traffic laws to reduce the risk of collisions.”