The Nelson Police Department is once again reminding motorists to slow down and adjust their driving habits to winter conditions after two recent accidents on local roads.
On Saturday around 6:45 p.m. police were called to a single vehicle collision in Rosemont. An SUV had gone off the road while travelling along Lakeview Crescent and rolled down a six metres down embankment before landing, wheels down, in a residential backyard on McHardy Street. Nelson Fire and Rescue had to cut the roof off the vehicle to extract the 32-year-old male driver. He was taken to Kootenay Lake Hospital, treated for minor injuries and released. A police investigation found speed was a factor in the collision and the man was charged under the Motor Vehicles Act for with driving without due care.
Another vehicle rolled over after hitting a patch of black ice on Government Road in Railtown, Monday around noon. The small pickup truck came to rest on its roof. Two occupants inside were unharmed. Police determined the accident was related to road conditions, not speed, and no charges were laid. City crews were called out to sand the slippery area to prevent further accidents at the location.
With the holiday season approaching, Nelson Police Department and other enforcement services will be ramping up the number of check stops set up throughout the city and surrounding areas. Drivers should expect to see more police presence on the road watching for impaired drivers and other driving infractions.