‘The roads are sloppy’: Dozens of crashes reported on GTA highways as freezing drizzle hits Toronto

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt says freezing rain and ice pellets are causing messy driving conditions.

A freezing drizzle advisory has been issued for Toronto as Ontario Provincial Police warn of slick conditions on GTA roads.

Environment Canada said freezing drizzle is expected to lead to ice build-up on roadways, causing slippery conditions for motorists today.

“Freezing drizzle mixed with light snow, is expected to continue through early this afternoon. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery,” the national weather agency said in its advisory.

“Freezing drizzle can produce thin, hard-to-detect layers of ice. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas.”

The inclement weather has prompted school boards in and around the GTHA to cancel buses and in some areas, including Hamilton, schools are closed.

Speaking to CP24 on Thursday morning, OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said officers are responding to “dozens of crashes” on GTA highways right now.

“We had big fluffy flakes earlier this morning… now it has really transitioned away from the snow and now we are dealing with just this mist that is coming down,” he said.

“The radar doesn’t look like there is a lot of weather but when you are driving down the roads, visibility is reduced, the roads are sloppy, slushy. The plows have been out but there is a lot of traffic volume.”

He said the crashes that police are responding to are a result of motorists not adjusting their driving to the weather conditions.

“It is just because of drivers going too fast for the conditions, not giving themselves the space and when traffic suddenly stops, you hit the brakes, you think the roads are only wet and all of sudden you are sliding on this ice and slush,” Schmidt said.

For those who end up in a collision on the highway, he urged drivers to stay inside their vehicles at all times.

“If your vehicle is still driveable… move off the highway. Find a safe location. Even a shoulder is not where we want you to be. Get to an exit, go to a parking lot, to a gas station and deal with the situation at that point," he said.

“If your vehicle is not driveable, stay in your car… keep your seatbelt on, keep your ignition on, keep your headlights on, your four-way flashing lights on, and call police. If you are blocking a lane, that’s an emergency. Call 911."

While it is best to stay off the roads if possible today, Schmidt said drivers who need to travel should make sure their vehicles are gassed up and that they have plenty of windshield wiper fluid on hand.

“Remember it can go from dry roads, to wet roads, to slushy roads, to icy roads in a very short period of time,” he said.

Freezing rain could make for hazardous conditions during the evening rush hour, he noted.

“They are talking about freezing rain continuing through the morning and afternoon which could make for a slippery afternoon commute as well,” he said in an video posted on social media.

CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said things should improve in most areas later this afternoon and GTA commuters will likely see better road conditions on Friday.

He noted that this week, Toronto has seen “a rollercoaster ride of temperatures and... active weather.”

“The next big system comes in Saturday late afternoon through early Sunday,” Coulter said.

“This is going to bring a bit more in the way of snow, five to 10 centimetres, with localized heavier accumulations.”