How Many Accidents?

[The Goon]

Just drove from a Christmas party at the U of C to Signal Hill. Roads were okay going my way, but the other way...good Lord.

Accident on Crowchild Trail on the bridge going North. Bow Trail Eastbound is closed just after 26th Ave going into the city - a bus is completely spun around the other direction. Cars are sitting there going nowhere.

As well, cars going Eastbound on 17th from Signal Hill before Sarcee are going nowhere, as the bottom of that hill is an ice rink. There are cars spun out, abandoned along the side of the road, a bus blocking a lane, etc etc. Just awful.

I will also thank the collective wisdom of CP for convincing me to get snow tires, which I bought right after the snowfall last month.

[Bob]

So this was basically caused by freezing rain, correct? That's what I saw most of today in the deep south.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by NSFL

Great, thanks for the update. I just let my dad know. I've only been driving for 5 years. Have any of you seen anything this bad before? I'm literally sitting here listening to 660, reading this forum and then calling my dad with traffic updates.

Been driving for 16 years or so and I think I can only recall once quite a number of years ago when we had that massive snow fall that crippled the city. That was by far worse. Instead of slipping and sliding (which happened), people were getting stuck in the snow. Even massive ass 4x4 trucks.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Bob

So this was basically caused by freezing rain, correct? That's what I saw most of today in the deep south.

In the NW it was slushy snow at 4:00 pm, that froze into black ice at dark.

[habernac]

4 hours to get home. #$@!!!

Idiots with summer tires and 2 wheel drive screwing it up for everyone. And WTF do buses have for tires?

[jschick88]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

Been driving for 16 years or so and I think I can only recall once quite a number of years ago when we had that massive snow fall that crippled the city. That was by far worse. Instead of slipping and sliding (which happened), people were getting stuck in the snow. Even massive ass 4x4 trucks.

Was that the snow storm 5 years ago in April or May? I remember it happening on a saturday and it was just pure craziness.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by habernac

4 hours to get home. #$@!!!

Let's hope everyone gets home tonight.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Was that the snow storm 5 years ago in April or May? I remember it happening on a saturday and it was just pure craziness.

It was St. Patrick's Day in 98 or 99..that was understandable though.
This today was a disaster and a prelude to more disasters in the future and what's wrong with City Council's decision making.

I know people with summer tires are stupid, but even a tank would have trouble today.

[habernac]

unreal. 4th street past Fowler is the 3rd ring of hell. Bus jacknifed across 4th just before McKnight, all the hills were basically blocked by buses. By the time they cleared, I had to hurry beofre the bald two wheel drive jerkoffs blocked it again.

Thanks to Peter Maher and the Flames broadcast for keeping me sane.

[dre]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Was that the snow storm 5 years ago in April or May? I remember it happening on a saturday and it was just pure craziness.

I remember that one. I got home from work, sat down to watch a movie
and my tv died. Took me 3 hours to get a new one, when it should have taken me 30 minutes.

[jschick88]

I live just off of Centre Street and my balcony points towards McKnight Blvd and 4th Street intersection. Traffic is backed up all the way towards Centre Street and maybe even more. Traffic is barely crawling right now.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by jschick88

I live just off of Centre Street and my balcony points towards McKnight Blvd and 4th Street intersection. Traffic is backed up all the way towards Centre Street and maybe even more. Traffic is barely crawling right now.

Now? Still? Where are people going?

[NSFL]

My dad's on centre street bridge right now. He says he doesn't see a bus, it's just all the other drivers that can't get up that are blocking his way. My mom's been off since 8 and she's still not home. No cell phone, no idea how to get in touch with her. I hope she's ok.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Now? Still? Where are people going?

Christmas parties.

jschick88, yeah that would be the snowstorm.

[jschick88]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Now? Still? Where are people going?

Probably trying to get home still. It has been like that all night.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by NSFL

My dad's on centre street bridge right now. He says he doesn't see a bus, it's just all the other drivers that can't get up that are blocking his way. My mom's been off since 8 and she's still not home. No cell phone, no idea how to get in touch with her. I hope she's ok.

I'm sure she is. Buddy of mine just called and said everyone was just crawling along. Looks to be pretty harmless if everyone is driving slow.

[jschick88]

Originally Posted by TheyCallMeBruce

Christmas parties.

jschick88, yeah that would be the snowstorm.

Ya, the only time I can recall city transit pretty much shutdown service.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by jschick88

Ya, the only time I can recall city transit pretty much shutdown service.

I remember helping a bunch of my neighbours with stuck cars. It was nuts, a bunch of us neighbours helping each other out, getting ppl unstuck from the snow. kinda crazy day, but it was rewarding as well since we got to know our neighbours a bit better.

[TheU]

took me 90 minutes to get from dal station to crowchild/stoney. INSANE driving conditions. i always want to say big ups to the people helping out at sarcee and john laurie, karma will treat you to something for your hard work tonight helping out hapless ppl in summer tires

[I-Hate-Hulse]

My 12 minute bike ride into work ended up being 14 minutes.

Inner City living rules.