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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging drivers to stay off the roads on Monday After a chaotic 24 hours on the highways in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), where officers responded to nearly 200 collisions and another 150 calls for vehicles stuck in ditches, piles of snow or unable to move. After the region’s record-setting blizzard.
Sergeant Kerry Schmidt said conditions remained extremely challenging even after the storm passed, with plows still struggling to clear narrow lanes from massive piles of snow.
“The snow has been removed, but the work continues,” Schmidt said in a video update.
“Plows continue to attempt to clear highway lanes, but in many cases, there is no room to push the snow. The shoulders are covered, and the ramps are still dangerous. In many cases, you still can’t see the lane markings on the highways.”
Schmidt said the OPP’s collision reporting center is expected to be “very busy” as drivers begin filing reports of crashes that occurred during and after the storm.
GTHA highways are hard to navigate
Despite around-the-clock plowing, Schmidt warned that several major roads were partially blocked. Snow-covered shoulders, reduced visibility from blowing snow, and hidden lane markings continue to pose risks for morning commuters.
“Shore roads, city streets, driveways are still a mess. There’s a lot of snow out there,” he said. “This is going to be a difficult and challenging drive for many [Monday] Morning.”
OPP are urging drivers to slow down, keep an eye on the road and make sure their vehicles are completely cleared of snow and ice before heading out.
With cleanup efforts ongoing, Schmidt encouraged residents to delay travel until plows have made more progress.
“If you can avoid the trip, wait until the plows have completed their work and the roads are in better condition,” he said. “It’s going to take some time, but it’s been a busy 24 hours. We’ve got it done, and let’s keep doing our job.”