Stupid in the snow

It finally happened over the long weekend, our first big snowfall of the year.

Photo: Contributed - www.thinkstockphotos.ca

Always an interesting event, that first snowfall, especially on the roads! Some drivers panic when the snowy conditions finally arrive, others think it’s no big deal and drive like it's normal conditions until a slippery spot reminds them to slow down because they are not impressing anyone.

Believe it or not, I’m not here to complain about the driving on the evening of our first big snow fall, but compliment it! With temperatures much warmer at this time of year than they have been in the past it seemed almost a guarantee that drivers would be unprepared for the conditions, but that was not the case at all.

From what I saw, drivers handled the snow with incredible composure over the weekend, however, the same cannot be said for the pedestrians I saw.

Sure you are a pedestrian, and you have the right-of-way at a crosswalk, but that does not mean you should dart out into the road assuming we can all stop in time with such snowy conditions. I know as the driver of a vehicle we are expected to adapt the conditions we are driving in and as a pedestrian, YOU SHOULD DO THE SAME.

Slow down a bit, wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop and then head onto the road. With snow on the roads it is not always a question of if we see you or not, but a question of whether we can stop in time. As Canadians you would think we all know this, but I saw two people make this mistake within a five minute span on Sunday night.

Both times the driver was able to stop, but I cringed like crazy at the thought of what could have happened. As the snowy conditions are returning to the valley over the next few months I would just like to remind everyone to keep your head up, assume nothing and make sure you are all doing your part when the snow does fall.
 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.