Alberta RCMP warn drivers of poor road conditions caused by freezing rain

Mounties in Alberta are asking drivers to keep an eye on the highway as poor road conditions have led to multiple crashes this weekend.

In a release late Saturday, they said that freezing rain south of Calgary led High River RCMP to respond to crashes — including jackknifed semis — on Highway 2 south of Highway 23.

Reduced visibility caused by a thick fog has also been the culprit of several incidents in central and northern Alberta.

Mounties say they have had to respond to several crashes in multiple areas north of Red Deer, and icy patches have also contributed to poor road conditions on HWY 2 between Leduc and Red Deer.

“We were responding to multiple motor vehicle collisions in the ditch,” RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff told 660 NewsRadio.

He says there was one fatality: A single-vehicle crash investigators believe happened due to speed and alcohol.

While conditions appear to have improved Sunday, Savinkoff cautions motorists to check the roads given the weather can change quickly.

“It’s just before Christmas, we know that there’s a lot of traffic, a lot of people taking an early holiday getting to where they need to go,” he explained.

“Plan ahead, look at what that route looks like, see what the weather conditions might be doing and try to work around that, because sometimes conditions can be poor for a very short amount of time … and they can improve in a hurry as well.”

Mounties are also asking motorists to avoid travel if necessary and to check 511 Alberta for road information.