So far, as winters go, this one has been relatively tame. Sure we had a full week in the deep freeze in mid-January, but those extreme temperatures make us the stuff of legends! If anything, our foray in the frigid minus 40s (with wind chill) gave us fodder for tall tales and bragging rights when in conversation with folks from warmer climes.
Compared to the “Snowmageddon” we had in 2011, this winter has been relatively devoid of the white stuff. I have yet to use my snow blower! In fact, I can still see exposed areas of my lawn. The lack of precipitation is surely a reason for concern and certainly may lead to adverse agricultural conditions come spring. I am sure Old Man Winter isn’t done with us quite yet though.
Yet, despite our nominal accumulations of the white stuff, there seems to be no end of adverse road conditions in St. Albert. I have endured the ribbing of out-of-town folks who inform me that rural secondary roads are in better shape than our city roadways. I have heard from fellow St. Albert residents who have told me of the slippery slopes in their neighbourhood. Cars hitting mailboxes and trees due to icy conditions seem to be more prevalent this winter. My question is why?
I drive a 4x4 with great tires. Yet, a week ago, while driving along such roads as Dawson and Perron, I had some issues with sliding at the intersections. I watched many vehicles do less than graceful triple Lutz spins and nearly hit other vehicles. The drivers were not going too fast either. Perhaps if fitted with figure skates our vehicles might fare a little better? I’ll keep checking the flyers for deals. I have also filed a complaint about the Russian road skating judge who only gave me a 5.6 on my serpentine, Salchow and double Axel.
I have observed too many vehicles spinning whirling tires in desperate manoeuvres to get through busy intersections or up slippery slopes in our city. Perhaps, like Quebec, Alberta might want to consider making the use of winter tires mandatory for all vehicles. That may help the rubber to hit the road so to speak, in being proactive and pre-empting the high number of accidents and fender benders that have plagued us this season.
Surely, there must be a little more sand to sprinkle here and there. I am certain that the city’s snow removal budget is in pretty good shape for we have not had too much to remove. Why then are roadways so worrisome this year? We could simply blame it on poor drivers. We could simply blame it on poor tires or we could simply blame it on the weather.
The warmer temperatures that we are enjoying bring both daytime thawing and overnight freezing. This makes intersections treacherous. While prudent driving and having proper treads are a must, a little more grit from sand or other solute would be most welcome on our side roads. Let’s see our tax dollars have a little more traction. That would be sure to thrill the crowd and the judges.
Tim Cusack recently listened to Slip Sliding Away.
