B.C. health minister asks drivers to stay off the roads as snow hits

B.C.’s Health Minister Adrian Dix is asking drivers to leave the roads clear for ambulances, and for those who can stay home, to keep off of the roads.

According to Dix, calls for ambulances increase when weather conditions deteriorate.

This comes as much of B.C.’s South Coast continues to experience snowy conditions.

“If you don’t need to be on the road, please don’t be on the road, because ambulances don’t have any choice. They do a lot of preparation for this — but when it’s difficult for anybody to travel, you can imagine when you have to get somewhere quickly how difficult it is in those conditions,” Dix said.

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With the latest snow storm blowing in, Dix says it’s also crucial to be extra respectful when seeing or hearing emergency vehicles coming, and to get out of the way.

Dix says leaving roads clear for emergency vehicles will allow hospital and emergency staff to get where they need to be safely.

“We don’t get fewer calls when it gets colder, we get more calls. And so the system has to be at 100 per cent when the conditions deteriorate significantly, and that means we all have to act to support our ambulance, paramedics. People are ready but it’s difficult as well – it’s really difficult for them.”

Dix says emergency responders are prepared for snow storm conditions but that the plan also involves the public.

“Yes, there’s a plan, but that plan involves people in the public…especially in these conditions when they hear a siren, getting out of the way [is] crucially important,” he said.