The first snowfall of the season covered the area on Wednesday morning, making for a treacherous commute for drivers in and around Edmonton.
Tuesday evening saw the start of the snowfall, and it continued through the night, leaving the area’s roads covered in snow.
Wednesday brought about the first test of two new collision reporting centres in Edmonton, which opened at the end of September.
The centres’ objectives include streamlining the minor collision reporting process while also freeing up Edmonton police resources.
Instead of reporting the crash at an Edmonton Police Service front counter or waiting for police at the collision site, drivers who have been involved in a minor collision go to a collision reporting centre where staff will help them complete the police report.
The procedure entails documenting any car damage with photos and contacting relatives and insurance companies.
Mylan Worthington claimed that he was hit from behind while he was stopped at a stop sign on 91 Street and 28 Avenue.
The roads are really slippery. Having winter tyres helps, which is fortunate, but not everyone has them when the first snow falls, he added.
“On the first snowfall, everyone panics, and people are only now relearning how to drive in the conditions.
It is undoubtedly dangerous, and I didn’t anticipate having an accident when I woke up this morning. ”
When the south Edmonton crash reporting centre opened at 8 a.m., Worthington was the first person through the doors. m. Wednesday.
It’s useful. I’ve never used it before,” he declared. “Not having to wait in line at the police station, elsewhere, or by dialling 911. ”
Khaled Massoudi is a contractor with Auto Rescue, an emergency roadside service.
It’s absurd.
It seems like people forget how to drive every year, and this is the first snowfall, he remarked. There have been numerous incidents this morning, and this crash reporting centre is a new development. We’ll have to wait and see how long this takes. ”
He brought a car to the south reporting centre, but he wasn’t really sure how effective it would be.
“I don’t believe it’s the greatest, but I think they have no alternative,” said the speaker, “given how much work the cops have to perform and the budget cuts.”
On Wednesday morning, Thomas Collins also took part in a small mishap. He was waiting to turn left at a stoplight when a car skidded through the intersection, colliding with another car, which then struck his car.
Collins remarked, “Pretty classic accident for a day like today.” “Everybody was pretty cool about it. No screaming or shouting.
”
Collins, who was utilising the South Reporting Center’s services for the first time, expressed general satisfaction with the procedure.
Actually, it’s been pretty straight up and down. Let’s say the process appears to be well-oiled. Forty-five minutes that they gave us for a wait time seems like it’s going to be on point,” he said.
“I believe that dealing with small collisions like this, when no injuries have been reported and only property damage has been caused, would be a better use of our officers’ time. ”
Collins had a warning for other motorists as well.
“Snow has begun to fall. You’re an Edmontonian. Slow down. Be mindful. ”
The City of Edmonton reported that its workers were out putting traction aids on the streets, sidewalks, and footpaths.
As of 9 a. m.
According to the Alberta Motor Association, anyone in need of a tow in Edmonton must wait 10 hours. The AMA reported Wednesday morning that there was a two-hour wait time to boost a car or fix a flat tyre.
For a large portion of central and southern Alberta, snowfall warnings were still in effect on Wednesday morning. While Edmonton was not included in that warning, areas directly south and east of the city were included.
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First snowy commute of the year for Edmontonians: “It’s wild”
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