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Police investigate a rash of accidents on slippery roads

North Bay Police Chief Shawn Devine admits on Monday morning on his drive to work, he called his wife to let her know the North Bay roads were ugly
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This two vehicle head-on collision on Memorial Drive resulted in minor injuries on Saturday. Photo by Linda Holmes.

North Bay Police Chief Shawn Devine admits on Monday morning on his drive to work, he called his wife to let her know the North Bay roads were ugly.  

“I have received several complaints with regards to the roadways. On my way to work on Monday morning I actually called my wife and told her to be very careful on O’Brien street as I found it to be extremely slippery,” said Devine.  

The Police Chief says since the snow flew on Saturday, there have been 18 accidents alone in the city limits.  

“I don’t have the figures are far as injuries that are involved in that but eight of those accidents were investigated by police officers, the rest were investigated through our collision centre within here,” explained Devine. 

Tanya Vrebosch, the Chair of Public Works and Engineering, says Mother Nature played a huge part in why some major arteries like Lakeshore Drive and O’Brien Street were so slippery.  

“Saturday we experienced wet snow that quickly turned to ice pack with traffic on main arteries.” said Vrebosch in a message to BayToday.ca

“We have repeatedly plowed, sanded and salted to break-up. Tonight the ice pack is breaking leaving roads slushy. We will continue to plow and salt through the night and coupled with the warm temperatures we should have wet roads for tomorrow morning's commute.”  

Devine says despite the conditions, everyone driving needs to remember the season has changed.  

“I think people have to realize that winter weather is here and if you do not have your snow tires on then maybe it is time to think about them. And the other thing is that we need to slow down and recognize that it takes longer to stop with winter conditions,” said Devine. 

Want to know the city policy on plowing streets? Click here.

Plowing begins when there is an accumulation of 5 cm (2 inches) of snow on major arterial and collector roads.  City standards specify that up to 8 cm (3 inches) of snow may be allowed to accumulate on local residential, commercial areas and minor rural roads before plowing begins. 


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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