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Police remind drivers to adjust driving following highway collisions

Feb 9, 2018 | 12:21 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Emergency crews were kept busy Friday morning following a pair of collisions on the Trans-Canada Highway near Kin Coulee Park.

At approximately 6:40 a.m., police and firefighters attended a three-vehicle collision on the westbound lane of the highway in the Kin Coulee Dip. While crews were clearing the highway of that collision, a Dodge Ram, followed by a Honda Civic, entered the collision scene travelling too fast for the conditions.

The Dodge lost control as it tried to slow down and crossed the median into the eastbound lane, followed by the Honda Civic. The Dodge hit a pickup truck travelling east, while the Civic spun out and came to a rest.

Six vehicles total were involved in the two collisions, but no injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $34,000. It took four hours for crews to clear the scene.

Police say while emergency crews were cleaning up the collisions, they faced an extremely hazardous situation, as several other drivers entered the scene travelling too fast or with inattentive drivers. Police say numerous vehicles lost control entering the scene, resulting in several near-misses with emergency personnel. Offences observed included driving too fast for the conditions, following too closely and driving with obscured windows. Police charged a female driver with allowing pets to impede her ability to safely operate her vehicle.

Police are reminding drivers once again to slow down while approaching emergency vehicles, adjust their habits to weather conditions and pay full attention to the roads, especially when passing emergency vehicles.