When the roads are covered with snow and ice driving to the conditions is advised. (CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

‘Just be patient out there’: Driving safely in Medicine Hat when snow and ice hits

Feb 8, 2024 | 5:21 PM

Driving on the streets and roads of Medicine Hat in the winter can present a challenge.

The main roadways are plowed with priority one clearance, but the side streets are less of a priority.

However, there are a few things a person can do to reduce their risk while driving.

When navigating your way around the city during the winter months, it’s important to give yourself enough time to get to your destination.

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Driving with caution is of utmost importance and being patient on roads that are packed with snow and ruts is something driving instructor Bob Ross with Safety Buzz advises all motorists to do.

Ross also said having proper tires that are evenly inflated to the recommended level is important for driving in the winter, to provide the right traction.

You should maintain a proper speed and following distance, in case you need to slow down or stop.

Slowing down your vehicle gradually and giving lots of space between you and the vehicle ahead.

“Slow down,” Ross said.

“It gets slushy in certain spots, but it doesn’t look as slushy, and all of the sudden, that’ll take you to the side, or drag it to the side where there could be a parked car, or even a child on a sidewalk,” he added.

“We really want to slow down on the side streets.”

Sergeant Stacey Fishley, of the Medicine Hat Police Service, agreed that slowing down is a huge part of staying safe on side streets that haven’t been plowed.

“If it means that there is a vehicle coming in, it’s really rutted and you can’t get by without the possibility of striking a vehicle, stop,” Fishley said.

“Wait for that vehicle to pass and then go through when it’s safe to do so.”

Fishley adds that it is also important to clear all snow off of your vehicle.

Which if not done is dangerous and can lead to a fine for having an obscured windshield.

“Make sure that your vehicle the windshield is clear of all ice and snow,” Fishley said.

“Also that your side windows front driver and passenger are clear so that you can utilize your side mirrors when you’re operating the vehicle.”

When the snowfall hits, the City of Medicine Hat crews work on removing with different levels of priority.

Trevor Funk, manager of operations with the city said side roads are the last focus and normally only receive traction control.

“Removal of snow for us is actually largely dependant on two things,” Funk said.

“Basically we’ve plowed it to the side and now the lane width is reduced and you can’t travel on it properly, or there is no place to store it properly,” he added.

“That is when it gets removed.”

Emergency routes, main roadways, hills and bridges are the first priority.

Next is more travelled secondary roads, school zones, transit bus routes and downtown.

Driving instructor Bob Ross also advises making sure you have working Windshield wipers, washer fluid, all lights functioning is important.

Ross added that if you are driving slower make sure to put your hazard lights on.

“You have to have that happy medium, not too slow, where you’re creating a hazard, or too fast, when you’re going to create the hazard,” Ross said.

“Everyone has different [driving] abilities, some have better vehicles.”

Ross also offered this piece of advice: “Just be patient out there.”