A spring snowstorm has caused dangerous driving conditions across Alberta, leading to hundreds of vehicle collisions in Edmonton and on nearby highways.
In less than 24 hours, more than 250 crashes were reported at Edmonton’s two collision reporting centres. On Thursday alone, police responded to over 150 incidents. The total number continued to rise Friday as snow continued to fall throughout the day.
Several major roads and highways were affected, including Highway 16 near Stony Plain, where a multi-vehicle pileup sent five people to hospital with serious injuries. Along Highway 16 heading east toward Edmonton, vehicles were seen in ditches, and traffic slowed to a crawl. On Highway 44, emergency crews responded to yet another crash under similar road conditions.
Blowing snow, poor visibility and icy surfaces made travel difficult throughout the region. Crews worked continuously to clear major routes, but snowfall and wind created ongoing challenges.
Within Edmonton, parts of the Whitemud Freeway were shut down tonight, after a series of crashes. Police received 70 calls from that area alone before temporarily closing sections of the road.
In many cases, vehicles lost control and collided after sliding on ice. Some drivers were involved in more than one impact, as others crashed while trying to avoid stopped vehicles.
Despite the rising number of incidents, Edmonton police said Friday evening that no additional road closures were planned. However, they advised people to stay off the roads unless travel was necessary.
Those who must drive are urged to leave extra space between vehicles, plan for longer travel times, and stay clear of snowplows.
The storm is expected to continue into the weekend, with more snow in the forecast. Motorists are encouraged to check road and weather conditions before heading out.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and respond to emergencies as they happen.