SHUNIAH – An Ontario Provincial Police spokesperson is urging motorists to drive with caution on Northwestern Ontario highways after a weekend that saw three deaths in separate incidents on Highway 11/17 and Highway 17.
Of the fatal collisions over the weekend, two of them happened in the Shuniah area, near Superior Shores Road and Mirror Lake Road, and a third near English River Township.
OPP communications officer Matt Foster called that series of fatal incidents devastating.
"This is unacceptable on our highways, and this hits close to home for all first responders," he said. "We can't even begin to think about what the families of the parties involved in these collisions are experiencing right now, especially for the holidays.
"This is why I must talk about road safety because we don't want another family without one of their loved ones over the holidays."
Although this winter has so far come without typical snowfalls, icy conditions are still prevalent, he said.
“It's just really important to remember that just because you leave Thunder Bay and the weather is nice, maybe you get to Nipigon, and it's the middle of winter. You never know what you might come across on our highways,” said Foster.
The three incidents saw parts of the highway closed for several hours with minimal detours available for other road users. Fosters suggests drivers have emergency kits and supplies in the event of an emergency or road closure.
"If you're out travelling to see family over the course of this holiday season, drivers just be reminded to be attentive while driving, drive according to the conditions, follow the posted speed limits," he said.
"Those are really important things that could save your life while you're out on the roads due to ever-changing conditions, because you just never know what Mother Nature might pull out of their hat that day."