[P]olice are urging drivers to take extra care in wintry conditions after a flurry of snow-related collisions caused traffic disruption.
Officers responded to a series of damage-only crashes during the early hours of today (Thursday 18 January 2018), but thankfully no serious or minor collisions have been reported so far.
The incidents between midnight and 9am include:
- Damage-only collision between a tanker and a VW Golf on the A59 at Blubberhouses at 12.20am. Fire service assisted and scene clear by 2.20pm, including another HGV that had become stuck on the bank ahead of the collision
- A silver Honda Jazz car ended up in a ditch on the B6271 at Brompton on Swale at 1.24am. Driver uninjured and he arranged the vehicle recovery
- A HGV jack-knifed on the south-bound A66 at Ravensworth at 1.25am. This has caused significant traffic disruption and is still awaiting recover. The Highways Agency has put diversions in place
- A white Citroen Relay van came off the road on the north-bound carriageway of the A19 near the Ellerbeck turn-off, Northallerton area, at 3.48am. The driver arranged the recovery of his vehicle
- At 7.40am, a white Vauxhall Corsa ended up in a ditch on the north-bound A167 between Dalton on Tees and Great Smeaton. The man driving the car was uninjured and made his own arrangements to recover the car
- A grey Peugeot 107 and a blue Vauxhall Corsa came off the A64 at Whitwell on the Hill at around 7.43am. The women driving the cars were uninjured
On Coppice Drive, Harrogate, at 8.15am, a black Renault Captur slid into a Mercedes Sprinter van which blocked the road for a short time - Damage-only collision on A167 near Dalton on Tees involving a Nissan Qashqai
- A black Renault Clio crashed through a hedge and ended up in a field on the B6267 at Nosterfield, near Bedale, at around 8.30am. The car slid on ice while turning left to Thornborough. The man driving the car was uninjured and arranged recovery
- On Hipswell Road, Catterick Garrison, at 8.33am, a silver Vauxhall Astra slid into a white Ford C-MAX causing minor damage but no injuries
- A black Mini One spun into roadworks on the A1(M) at Barton, Richmondshire, at 8.34am. Traffic was not affected and the vehicle was recovered
- At 8.42am, a milk cart came off the A684 at Patrick Brompton, Bedale. The driver was uninjured
- A man escaped injury when his grey VW Passat crashed into bushes on the A169 at Old Malton at 8.58am
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “It has clearly been a difficult time on the roads due to the snowfall overnight. Thankfully there have been no serious or minor injury collisions reported during this period, although the dozens of damage-only collisions have kept the emergency and highways teams busy.
“To help keep safe, we urge motorists to drive to the conditions, keep your distance from other road-users and anticipate the longer time it takes to slow down and come to a stop.
“It is also vital that your vehicle is prepared for the conditions, including removing snow and ice from all windows, roof and body work.
“Remember, it is always best to arrive later than never. If the conditions are severe and your journey is not essential, then it is best to stay indoors until the roads become clear.”
The key safety advice for motorists during the cold snap includes:
- Check brakes, lights, wiper blades, and oil and washer fluid level
- Ensure tyres meet legal requirements – and preferably a tread depth of 3mm
- Carry water and de-icer in the car with you
- If you are going on a longer journey, bring food, hot drinks, blankets and a fully-charged mobile phone
- Always clear your windscreen properly of ice and snow before setting off
Further winter driving tips from North Yorkshire Police’s expert drivers are available at www.northyorkshire.police.uk/winterdriving.
