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Know Before You Go and Arrive Safe This Holiday Season

Released on December 23, 2015

While many dream of a white Christmas, the Government of Saskatchewan would like to remind drivers to check road conditions before heading home for the holidays.

“Snow and ice are great for tobogganing and skating, but they’re not great for driving,” Highways and Infrastructure Minister Heppner said.  “Check the Highway Hotline for up-to-date road conditions before travelling, so you and your family can safely enjoy the holiday season.”

Crews are prepared to clear highways 24 hours a day.

Roads are cleared using a three-tiered level of service:
  • Level 1 – major inter-provincial and commuter routes that connect communities with a population of 3,000 or more and have a daily traffic count of 1,500 or more.
    • Cleared within six hours.
  • Level 2 – have a daily traffic count between 300 and 1,500 vehicles.
    • Cleared within 12 hours.
  • Level 3 - all other highways with a traffic count of 300 vehicles or less.
    • Cleared within 24 hours.
Snowplows create a mini-blizzard, or snow-zone, as they scrape snow off the road.

Please remember to slow down, and stay safe, as you approach plows in operation.  It is illegal to pass a snowplow at speeds greater than 60 km/hr.  Snowplows will pull over every 10 km, or when it is safe to do so, to allow motorists to pass.

Ministry of Highways snow removal equipment now features blue and amber flashing lights to increase visibility.  The addition of blue lights to the amber ones previously used will help distinguish snow removal equipment from other emergency service vehicles on the road, increasing safety for operators and motorists.

The Highway Hotline provides up-to-date and reliable road information that will help prepare for road conditions and safely plan ahead.

Information can be found at www.saskatchewan.ca/highwayhotline.  Recorded reports are available by calling 306-787-7623 in Regina, 306-933-8333 in Saskatoon, and toll-free across Canada at 1-888-335-7623.  Users on the SaskTel cellular network can dial *ROAD for information.

For road closures and travel not recommended alerts on Twitter, check out the Highway Hotline account @SKGovHwyHotline.  For general tips, visit the Highway Hotline on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SaskatchewanHighwayHotline.

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For more information, contact:

Sonja Orban
Highways and Infrastructure
Regina
Phone: 306-787-8484
Email: sonja.orban@gov.sk.ca

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