(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

Drive Safe

Multiple incidents on Highway 5 due to poor road conditions on Monday

Jan 19, 2021 | 1:01 PM

Poor road conditions on Monday led to a number of incidents on Highway 5.

Prud’homme Fire and Rescue Chief Ward Perozuk told northeastNOW the department responded to four calls between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.

He provided some advice for motorists before beginning their commutes.

“Take a few minutes and prepare yourself, get on the internet and check the highway hotline,” Perozuk said. “If travel is not being recommended, you have to ask yourself if travel is absolutely necessary.”

Extra time, enough fuel and an emergency survival kit are essential when travelling in the winter. Survival kits could include a space blanket, water to drink, and a heat source such as a candle.

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A fully charged phone and a phone charger are also a good idea.

“Sometimes you get to those areas where there is no cell coverage, so tell someone your travel plans and what time you should arrive at your destination,” Perozuk said. “If something happens, that person can start the process of locating you.”

Perozuk said when approaching an accident scene, it can be quite chaotic with the flashing lights, making it important to be cautious and watch surroundings.

For the most part, someone will be directing traffic on the scene and obeying instructions is essential in keeping everyone safe, according to Perozuk.

“We had an incident yesterday where one of our people that were directing traffic heard tires scraping on the ice, but was able to turn and dodge the vehicle that eventually went into the ditch,” Perozuk said. “It is a dangerous world out there in a traffic situation so just pay attention.”

The first incident for members of the Prud’homme department was a single vehicle collision at 4 p.m. on Highway 5.

Just before 9 p.m. members were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision west of St. Denis on Highway 5.

At approximately 9:40 p.m., the department was called to a single vehicle rollover on Highway 5 east of Highway 2. On route to the rollover, members encountered a vehicle at the junction of Highway 2 and 5 that had their air bags deployed when they hit the ground after becoming airborne.

The department that is made up of volunteers, aren’t off duty immediately after a call.

“When getting back to the hall, it’s making sure we restock supplies, flashlights are charged, vehicles are ready to go, gear is put away and ready for another call,” Perozuk said. “We always have to be ready to go again which happened last night, we had been back at the hall for basically an hour and were gone again.”

The Prud’homme department was assisted in the incidents by RCMP and EMS from Humboldt, Grant Fire and Rescue, and the Combined Traffic Services Unit from Saskatoon.

Another day of treacherous road conditions could be on the way with another weather system in the forecast for Wednesday. According to Environment Canada, snow, wind, and freezing rain are all possible.

“Please drive carefully and pay attention to what is going on while on the roads,” he said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser