An RCMP spokesperson says it was “all hands on deck” Wednesday as detachments responded to dozens of highway incidents across the province as a significant winter storm made its way eastward.

Saskatchewan’s Highway Hotline issued rolling updates throughout the day as some areas received upwards of 20 centimetres of snow, and others were hit with a freezing, icy rain that shut down a number of highways and had the hotline discouraging travel.

“It’s been a buffet of different types of weather, ranging from freezing rain, a little farther north, if you just look at the Highway Hotline right now, we’ve got everything from travel not recommended to roads closed,” Dan Palmer, a Ministry of Highways spokesperson told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Police and the ministry are urging drivers to exercise an abundance of caution if they plan on hitting the road anytime soon.

Between midnight and 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Saskatchewan RCMP said its officers responded 29 calls related to highway incidents, which includes collisions, vehicles in the ditch and other road hazards.

Those numbers are preliminary and could change, according to RCMP spokesperson Keely Grasser.

“What I can tell you is that they’ve indicated that many of them involve semis or inclines,” she said.

Grasser noted several new incidents were just unfolding at publication time.

Highway 1 - Near Broadview

At 2:43 p.m., the Highway Hotline reported a motor vehicle collision affecting the eastbound lanes of the Trans-Canada, around 2.5 kilometres east of Broadview.

According to the advisory, all lanes were closed and police were on site. Additionally, no local detour had been established.

Grasser said details were limited because police were still at the scene, but drivers should expect delays.

Officers from the Swift Current, White Butte and Moose Jaw detachments were also busy responding to multiple weather-related calls Wednesday, she said.

“I actually heard from one of our police officers in Swift Current that the roads are so slippery that it’s hard to even stand on the roads, let alone drive.”

Reports of collisions started coming in Wednesday morning.

Highway 1 – Near Secretan

The Highway Hotline reported at 8:19 a.m. Wednesday that both westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada near Secretan were closed following a motor vehicle incident. Secretan is 70 kilometres west of Moose Jaw.

A photo from the scene showed a semi in the area that appeared to be flipped onto its side, laying across the highway and into the ditch.

As of 11:30 a.m., the scene appeared to be cleared. However, the stretch of Highway 1 from Mortlach to Rush Lake remained closed.

Highway 4 – Near Kyle

As of 9:14 a.m., a semi was partially blocking the northbound lane of Highway 4 near the community of Kyle. The accident site is located around 5.5 kilometres north of Highway 342.

‘Make an informed decision’

If you are heading out on the highway in these conditions, Grasser says a bit of preparation beforehand can go a long way toward keeping you safe:

• Fill your gas tank
• Charge your phone and bring a battery pack
• Keep an emergency supply of food and water in the car

Most importantly, says Grasser, “slow down.”

“This isn’t a time where you necessarily drive to the speed limit, you’re driving to road conditions.”

If you do end up stuck in a ditch or stranded on the highway, the RCMP advises you stay with the vehicle — first responders are required to check all vehicles they see stranded, so it saves them time if you stay there.

“Keep in mind when you’re heading out, if you get in a situation like that, our priority is always going to be responding to collisions and other urgent situations,” said Grasser.

“It may take us a while to get to you, for that kind of help. Our officers, keep in mind, are also navigating these poor road conditions,” she said. “Lastly, we can’t reiterate enough: if you don’t have to be out on the roads tonight, please don’t be.”

If you do need to travel, Palmer urges drivers to check the Highway Hotline and “make an informed decision before heading out.”

“And if you are out there and you do come across one of my teammates out there in the snow plows — give them room. Give them space. Stay back. We want everyone to get home safely, no matter who is using the road.”