Slick roads cause traffic havoc

Icy roads in Calgary and north of the city snarled traffic for hours and caused hundreds of collisions, including one that led to the death of a 21-year-old man.

A snowfall Friday afternoon turned Highway 2, north of Calgary, into a dangerous road, where about 60 vehicles crashed or slid off the road.

The man who died was involved in a multi-vehicle pileup on the highway between Carstairs and Didsbury. He had gotten out of his car and was trying to reach the safety of a ditch, when he was struck by another vehicle, the RCMP said.

Highway 2 was closed between Carstairs and Didsbury for more than five hours before it reopened Friday night.

Traffic in Calgary slowed to a crawl as some vehicles failed to manoeuvre icy roads and slick hills.

Calgary police reported 113 crashes involving damage, including 18 minor injuries as of 6 p.m. on Friday.

Steep sections of Bow Trail Southwest, between Old Banff Coach Road and Sarcee Trail, as well as steep sections of Edmonton Trail and 10th Street N.E., were closed after they were deemed too slippery for driving.

Many people gave up the commute, abandoning their vehicles to walk to their destinations instead.

Police asked motorists to stay off the roads if possible. They reminded those who had to drive to reduce their speeds and to increase the distance to the vehicle in front of them to avoid collisions.