The first big snowfall of the year prompted a warning from Cochrane RCMP to stay off the highways unless necessary.

Cochrane RCMP Constable Warman says they responded to seven accidents over December 3/4 weekend.

"One of them being an injury collision out on the highways, it is obviously due to the increased snowfall and drop in temperature."

Warman says when inclement weather hits you are best to remain at home if you can.

"Usually with the open fields it can create a lot of drifts and due to a high volume of traffic it usually succumbs to some melting and freezing causing a lot of black ice and with the high speeds it just creates that much more of losing control and hitting the ditch."

Cst. Warman wants to remind residents to properly winterize their vehicle, slow down, and leave extra room between you and the driver in front of you.

"Give yourself the extra time, make sure the maintenance on your car is up to date- snow tires, windshield washer fluid, wipers are working. Slower drivers stay in the right hand lane, keep your distance from other vehicles; you don't know when you're going to hit black ice."