Merritt RCMP’s ‘no zoomy zoom on the slicky slick’ tweet ridiculed
Posted November 1, 2021 1:01 pm.
Last Updated November 1, 2021 1:13 pm.
The Internet has not been kind to a seemingly flippant news release and tweet from Merritt RCMP, urging people to watch their speed on the Coquihalla Highway as winter arrives.
Headlined “No zoomy zoom on the slicky slick or you’ll go boom boom,” the RCMP wrote the release in rhyme, styled akin to “T’was the Night Before Christmas.”
T’was the end of October in Merritt, and all around, the snow was falling onto the high ground.
Vehicles were speeding on highways without care, hoping to make their destinations as quick as a hare.
From the mountain peaks there arose such a clatter as vehicles crashed and flipped due to white matter.
Merritt RCMP and partners rushed to the scenes placing themselves in danger with a small hope to glean.
Please slow down this winter season so we all can be safe, if you see flashing lights please use your brakes!
Directly below the rhyme is a photo of a van on its side on Highway 5 amid snowy conditions.
Social media users immediately jumped on the tweet, telling RCMP to remove it and questioning the decision to make light of potentially deadly collisions.
Crashes have caused several deaths on the Coquihalla Highway over the years.
On Friday, a serious multi-vehicle collision south of Larson Hill shut down the route for about seven hours.
Then the ouchy come and the car that makes the wee woo wee woo sound show up. That’s a bad spot and it’s wise to slow down and drive according to conditions.
— Retiredsafetyguy (@Retiredsafetyg1) November 1, 2021
This is the end result of too many years of handing out driver’s licences like they were participation certificates at kindergarten track and field day. pic.twitter.com/4psABJq496
— Garnet Bees (@GarnetBees) November 1, 2021
— Kieran Green
https://twitter.com/ZellasLife/status/1455253514569936900
— Liam (@LSheasby) November 1, 2021
haha yes! people rolling their vehicles is hilarious
— brad (@OhMyItsBrad) November 1, 2021
You still have time to delete this
— Jeff ⍟ (@xJDMMAx) November 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/p_poutine/status/1455253288627195911
At the end of the RCMP news release, the tone turned more serious with a quote from the media relations officer.
“We are pleading with the public to please slow down when driving this winter season”, Sgt. Josh Roda said, “It’s only the end of October and we’ve already been to numerous crashes on our Highways and one where an officer and a partner agency were almost struck by a passing vehicle.”
Right now, winter tires are required on several B.C. highways, including the Coquihalla.
