This is only the second North Bay winter for North Bay Police Chief Daryl Longworth, but he says he is already well aware of the challenges a northern Ontario brings.
The winter of 2024-25 is a drastic change from the mild winter North Bay experienced in 2023-24.
Since taking charge, Longworth has tried to put a focus on traffic enforcement. He realizes due to the recent snow storms, it has become a challenge for residents to navigate their vehicles through city streets.
"I think the message is the same any time of year. It's just driving according to the conditions, slow down," Longworth said after a recent North Bay Police Board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Some of it is just common sense too.
"Especially when it's bad weather, leave yourself plenty of time," he said.
"A big thing is to clean your windshields off, clean your mirrors off so you can see. Visibility is very important, and just take that extra amount of time, and on those really bad days, if you absolutely don't have to go anywhere, don't."
Longworth understands that high snowbanks can make it difficult, so he says to use extra caution in those intersections with high snowbanks.
"I think do your best to make sure you can see before you make a move with your vehicle and if that involves getting out or having somebody wave you through," said Longworth.
"I think it's really important just to make sure you cautiously approach any intersection where you can't see. You shouldn't be moving unless you can make sure you know what your path looks like."