Calgary’s first major snow dump of the season created many challenges for motorists forced to reluctantly get used to winter driving once more.
“There’s not much you can do in the first snowfall,” said Quinn Hammond, a SAIT student who drove to campus. “Just have patience, because it’s going to be messed up no matter what. If it’s going to be aggressively bad, try to stay home if you can.”
The extra snow and ice on the road led to more than 200 reported collisions between midnight and 4 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 24, according to the Calgary Police Service.
According to Transport Canada, some of the preparations drivers can make in Calgary for winter include installing winter tires, plugging in cars overnight, clearing windshields, and leaving extra space while braking. It is also recommended to have an emergency preparedness kit in your car for a worst-case scenario.
These preparations are not always enough to avoid collisions and other difficulties caused by winter driving.
Despite the many challenges Calgary drivers face, a 2019 survey conducted by the Mister Auto company from Britain concluded that Calgary was the best city to drive in the world.
Calgarians have varying views on this survey.
“I guess there are bad drivers everywhere and good drivers, so I don’t know,” said Kirsten Smith, a SAIT student and driver.
“I think the city has too many blind corners. I’ve almost been hit, and people always try to make the light even if it’s yellow,” said Hammond. “In Calgary, people like to do 20 [kilometres over the limit] regularly.”
“I’ve just seen a lot of sketchy drivers.”
