Police in the Cowichan Valley are warning people to slow down and drive carefully as winter conditions continue.
There have been dozens of minor accidents and collisions in the area due to icy roads in recent days as road crews continue to struggle to keep up with heavy snowfalls in the region.
Vehicles were stopping in Mill Bay on Tuesday to chain up to get over the Malahat, which reported whiteout conditions.
Cpl. Greg Pask at the Shawnigan Lake RCMP detachment said police have responded to approximately 10 weather-related accidents a day since the snow began on Feb. 3, during what is being recognized as the snowiest winter the Valley has seen since the winter of 2008-09.
He said the vast majority of the accidents have been minor, including cars sliding into ditches and fender benders.
The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment are reporting 24 collisions in the same time period, with only one with serious, but not life threatening, injuries.
Cpl. Krista Hobday said those don’t include the numerous cars that slid into ditches or were stuck in snow during the past few days.
“People should keep in mind that we’re getting a lot of ice on the roads over the last few days, which is a lot harder to drive on than compacted snow, especially in hilly areas,” she said.
“Drivers need to slow down and make sure they give themselves lots of time to get to their destinations. If it’s too bad out, they should consider just staying home.”