Vehicle accidents in Kamloops “four or five times” above normal due to snowy road conditions

Snowy road conditions are leading to a significantly higher number of vehicle accidents in Kamloops but in Kelowna it's the status quo.

“Usually the first few snowfalls of the year (are) really busy and this one is no different,” said Kamloops Fire Rescue platoon captain Shawn Davidson.

“We’ve responded to a lot more than we normally would, probably about four or five times more than we would normally in a day.”

None of the people in the accidents sustained serious injuries today, Dec. 4, he said. He warned drivers to drive to road conditions and to have winter tires, which is a significant factor in the car accidents seen.

“It’s groundhog day,” he said, adding areas along Highway 1 in the Valleyview area and around Columbia Street were busy.

“There was nothing that really sticks out but there was a larger number of them because of the conditions,” he said.

In contrast, Kelowna Fire Department platoon captain John Kelly said there hasn’t been an increase in accidents due to the weather.

Three have been reported today in Joe Rich on Highway 33, on Big White Road and one in West Kelowna.

“We always get three or four MVA in the course of the day around this time, so nothing outrageous,” he said.

Compared to accidents in Kamloops “I guess they’re not as good drivers there,” Kelly said.

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