The beginning of November has brought a wallop of snow, wind, and dropping temperatures. 

Jacquie Richards with Big Hill Towing says this recent weather event has it all, "This one has all the elements, its got the black ice underneath the snow and the blowing wind and the drifting in the rural areas so there are incidents all over the place."

Richards says they are busy but they are working efficiently as they triage and take the most urgent cases right away such as vehicles blocking roadways or people stranded with their cars. "We are triaging with every single call that comes in. Wait times can vary anywhere between an hour to 3-4 hours maybe in some cases."

Corporal Susan Richter with Cochrane RCMP says their members have been very busy responding to numerous collisions. Between approximately 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1, police responded to between 15 and 20 collisions. The incidents involved vehicles going into the ditch, vehicles rolling over, and a number of bumper car type collisions of multiple vehicles colliding and semis jack-knifing and other vehicles running into them.  Fortunately, at the time of this story, there were no serious injury accidents reported in Cochrane. 

To keep drivers safe, Corporal Richter says they are encouraging motorists to stay off the roads if possible. "When the weather is particularly bad like this with poor visibility, poor road conditions, and especially when there are high winds and ice as well that is terrible conditions to be driving in if driving is not necessary if you are able to work from home please do that. Driving is not recommended especially if you are heading west on the highways and your going towards the mountains the weather gets worse as you go west." 

If you do have to venture out, Richter says to slow down and give yourself plenty of extra time to reach your destination. Leave plenty of space between your vehicle and others and do not slam on your breaks. Make sure your phone is fully charged and that your vehicle has a winter safety kit in it.