Getting winter road ready

[caption id="attachment_22959" align="alignright" width="300"] Chestermere’s Winter Readiness Vehicle Check gave residents an opportunity to have their vehicles inspected and have peace of mind while on the roads this winter. With over 30 vehicles checked on Nov. 25, Event Coordinator and Level 1 Community Peace Officer Shawn Press said the event was a success. Photo by Emily Rogers[/caption]

Chestermere's first-ever Winter Readiness Vehicle Check was aimed at preparing residents for winter road conditions and to keep everyone safe.

"We're offering a complementary 13-point inspection for anybody's vehicle who comes through," said Event Coordinator and Level 1 Community Peace Officer Shawn Press.

On Nov. 25 residents had the opportunity to have Jiffy Lube technicians check their vehicles tire pressure, fluids, windshield wipers, head lights, and tail lights, Press said.

For Press the most important part of the Winter Readiness Vehicle Check was to ensure residents are more confident out on the winter roads, and everyone's vehicles are working 100 per cent.

After the Winter Readiness Vehicle Check drivers were able to have any recommendations the technicians made fixed on the spot.

"That way they leave with a little bit of peace of mind," Press said.

Residents could also check that their car seats were installed properly by car seat technicians.

"We deal with a lot of what happens after, when we arrive on collision scenes or when somebody is broken down on the side of the road and they need help, we're trying to mitigate that," Press said.

Over 30 vehicles were checked during the Winter Readiness Vehicle Check, Press added, the event was a success and people left very-very happy.

"We've had a few car seats installed and checked, those people are very excited because car seats are a difficult thing," Press said.

Getting a vehicle checked however, is only the first step in ensuring residents are safe this winter.

"Drive to the conditions," Press added, "Even when it's covered in ice and snowing we get people who are going over the speed limit or trying to pass where they shouldn't, and it gets a little bit dangerous.

"Everybody is just trying to get wherever they're going safe."

Without the help from Jiffy Lube, Starbucks, the car seat technicians, and the City of Chestermere the Winter Readiness Vehicle Check wouldn't have been possible, Press said.

He added, "We're representing the lighter side of law enforcement and protective services, and letting the community know that we're here from them in this way."