LAC LA BICHE - It was a Lac La Biche traffic stop, but it has a message for winter-driving motorist anywhere, says Lac La Biche County's Manager of Enforcement Services Chris Clark.
Two Lac La Biche County peace officer vehicles were needed to halt the driver of a dark-coloured SUV late Friday afternoon after police say they spotted the vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign. Despite the flashing lights of the patrol vehicle behind the SUV, police say the driver continued westbound on the bypass road, crossing another intersection at Highway 36 before eventually stopping when a second patrol car approached from the opposite direction, blocking its path. The back window of the SUV was completely covered with snow, say police.
The driver of the SUV told police she didn't know the police were behind her.
"The driver had so much snow on their back window that they did not see the officer," explained Clark following the traffic stop that slowed traffic on the bypass road as the two peace officer vehicles surrounded the SUV.
Clark said motorists must take the time to clear snow from their windows, headlights and taillights before getting on the road. He said this driver's alleged inability to completely see their surroundings could have had a much worse outcome than a couple of violation tickets.
"If we were responding to an emergency, this could have caused an issue as the driver would not have yielded to the police vehicle, ambulance or fire truck," he said. "Drivers need to make sure their windows are clear."
