COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – Mounties are out with yet another reminder to slow down and take extra care after a serious crash in Coquitlam last night.
The weather is being partly blamed after a car was found slammed into a concrete retaining wall on Austin Avenue near Nelson Street around 9 p.m.
“Certainly the fog is something we’re considering, and it also looks like driver error was an issue in this as well,” says Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with Coquitlam RCMP.
“We have to remind people that in weather conditions like this it’s important to slow down no matter how good a driver you are, your reaction time will increase when you slow down,” he adds.
First responders had to get the driver out of her car and treat her at the scene before she was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Though he says driver error was also to blame, McLaughlin admits he’s careful about focusing on that since it’s unclear whether it was speed, inattention or anything else.
“We don’t believed there’s anything criminal involved in this collision, there’s no indication of impairment for instance,” he explains. “But driving is a skill that really requires a lot of attention and we want people to understand that even though driving is something we do every day, we’ve got to be extra careful in conditions like this.”
According to McLaughlin, fog may be a visual reminder that you need to slow down. But there are a number of other hazards that you may not see that pose a significant risk.
“Black ice, slippery conditions are really common. So before you go for a drive, make sure your car is in good working order, you have good tires, and slow down. Give yourself extra time, it’s one of the best things you can do to improve your odds of getting to your destination safely.”
About two hours earlier, a fatal head-on collision between a semi-truck and a car shut down Lougheed Highway in Mission for several hours. There are reports the serious collision left both vehicles off the road with debris in between.
Fog did not play a role in that crash, but investigators are still trying to work out the cause.
Police say neither drugs nor alcohol were factors for the driver of the semi, but they don’t yet know if they were factors for the deceased driver.
Fog lifting today
The fog blanketed much of Metro Vancouver for the morning commute, it is lifting.
“It won’t be an issue by this afternoon as the breeze aloft starts to blow,” says NEWS 1130 Meteorologist Russ Lacate.
He tells us the fog may create some trouble for those heading out on the roads.
“Courtesy of that blanket of fog, it’s really only chilly in the Valley. So, inland routes could be a touch icy to begin the day. Elsewhere across Metro Vancouver, it’s just the visibility — it’s so limited by the dense fog.”
Along with a fog advisory for the Metro Vancouver area, Environment Canada has also issued a freezing rain warning for the Squamish and Whistler regions.
“Maybe the only trouble spots, those inland routes, north of Squamish through Whistler towards Pemberton, perhaps a little patchy freezing rain initially, but that’s later today,” says Russ.
According to Environment Canada, weather in higher mountainous areas can change quickly, posing a risk for those driving. The forecaster also warns of potential ice build-up on tree branches which may cause them to break.
Listen live for traffic and weather updates every 10 minutes on the ones. You can also follow us on Twitter @NEWS1130Traffic and @NEWS1130Weather or subscribe to breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
The post Fog a factor in serious Metro Vancouver crash appeared first on NEWS 1130.