EDMONTON – The RCMP are warning Alberta motorists to stay off the roads wherever possible, as heavy snow continues to fall over much of the province.
A combination of heavy snow, dropping temperatures and wind has created whiteout and treacherous driving conditions on several Alberta highways.
At least one fatal collision has been reported in the Valleyview area, about 350 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. RCMP were called to a single vehicle rollover on Highway 43, about 20 kilometres south of Valleyview, around 6:15 Friday night. The man driving the vehicle – and only person inside at the time – was pronounced dead at the scene.
RCMP advise against travel on several Alberta highways Saturday, including the QEII from Edmonton to Calgary.
RCMP were called to a collision on Highway 2 near Crossfield Saturday morning. As a result, traffic was shut down in both directions. However, it was reopened shortly after 1:00 p.m.
RCMP were also called to numerous single vehicle collisions and four multi-vehicle collisions on the QEII shortly after 8:00 a.m. Saturday, between Airdrie and Carstairs.
Three men were taken to hospital – one with serious, life-threatening injuries – after a collision involving a car and three semi-trucks on Highway 2 at Exit 305. The men were all passengers of the car.
One man was taken to hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries after a four vehicle collision on the QEII near the Dickson Stevenson Rest Stop.
Minor injuries were reported after a 20 vehicle pileup, including one semi-truck, on Highway 2 northbound at Highway 72.
There was a 15 vehicle pileup, including three semi-trucks, on Highway 2 at Highway 73. Minor injuries were reported in this collision.
WATCH: Highways around Calgary hammered by snow
Leduc RCMP have put a ‘no tow’ advisory in place for the area south of Edmonton until road conditions improve. Officers say it is not safe for vehicles to be towed from the highway in the current winter conditions.
Shortly after 1:00 p.m. Saturday, RCMP were called to a collision on the QEII south of Leduc at Glen Park Road. Traffic was being re-routed due to the collision.
READ MORE: Seasonal parking ban declared in Edmonton beginning 8:00 a.m. Sunday
Strathmore RCMP say conditions on Highway 1 east of Calgary all the way to Brooks are extremely poor due to ice and snow.
Travel on Highway 28 at Coronado Hill is also not recommended as conditions continue to be treacherous.
RCMP are urging motorists to slow down and drive to the conditions. Even if the posted speed limit is 110 km/h, that doesn’t mean you should travel at that speed if road conditions are poor, officers explained.
Officers encourage drivers to keep their headlights on at all times and have a winter emergency kit in their vehicle for safety purposes.
READ MORE: RCMP reminding motorists to drive to the conditions
Edmonton and much of central and southern Alberta was under a snowfall warning for much of the day Saturday. By Saturday evening, most of the warnings had been dropped.
For the latest information on road conditions, visit 511 Alberta’s Official Road Reports website, or follow 511 Alberta on Twitter.
To get your weather forecast on the go, download Global’s Skytracker Weather App.
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