Those of us who live in southwestern Ontario remember the snowstorm that swept from Sarnia as far as Highways 402 and west on 401. One man lost his life after gaining shelter in a farm home but later deciding he could walk to work. This was especially unfortunate because he had the choice of remaining safely indoors.
Other motorists had stepped into their warm automobiles with no thought of carrying emergency supplies: candles and matches/lighter, snacks, water, warm clothes, cellphones, a full tank of gas and a small shovel. Ontario Provincial Police stated that some motorists drove around highway barriers and headed into the jaws of the storm just up ahead.
Unless a lighted home or business can be seen a short distance up the road, motorists should remain in their cars until help arrives. There they can remain sheltered from the wintry blasts, keep from freezing, and nibble on snacks.
But one never knows just how difficult things can be in a snow storm. A friend and I found out first-hand, even though it wasn't snowing. Driving along a country road just north of Ilderton, our car crept off the road on the left shoulder and stopped mired in snow. The shoulders of the road were difficult to see. The stopped car was at an angle. Seated in the passenger side, I found it nearly impossible to push the door open. The weight of the door and the force of gravity were more than I could cope with. But I finally made it out onto the road. Snow on the driver's side was against his door. He could not open it. And if he had been alone in the car, it would have been doubtful that he could have escaped.
Now, the point of this tale is to warn drivers at this time of the year--even on a day in which no snow is falling and visibility is reasonable--be prepared. Luckily, I had brought my cellphone and a call to the Canadian Automobile Assn. soon brought a tow truck. The driver knew what he was doing and in no time winched us onto the road. Before that, a woman had driven up. "I saw you from my house across the fields, put two shovels, and a bucket of sand and salt in the car and came here to see what I could do." We explained that the CAA was already on the way and thanked her for offering to help.
Country people help one another, even extending it to two city dudes stuck in the ditch. And don't forget to join CAA.--Irvine Brace
