Vehicles are having to work extra hard to run in extreme cold temperatures and a large number of residents in the Battlefords have required assistance. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By Josh Ryan

Needing a Boost

Cold car trouble abound in the Battlefords

Feb 11, 2021 | 5:53 PM

Motorists in the Battlefords are running into plenty of vehicle issues this February, as chilly temperatures continue.

An increasing number of residents have had to call for assistance because troubles brought on by the weather conditions. Extreme cold warnings remain in effect throughout most of the province, due to wind chills in excess of -40 Celsius. The Battlefords are forecast to have highs of -25 C Friday and Saturday, before temperatures begin to warm up heading into next week, culminating in single digit minus temperatures by Wednesday.

Nancy Hayes, dispatcher for Lash-Berg Towing in Battleford, said it’s been the busiest week of the season so far and one of the busiest in years, with tow’s and boosts both up.

“Normally, the whole province sits at about 1,000-1,500 calls in a month,” she said. “Right now, were 11 days in and we’re sitting at almost 10,000. That’s a huge jump.”

Hayes said it’s been surprising that many people aren’t plugging in their vehicles, though some are still experiencing some trouble regardless.

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“I’ve got two vehicles of my own that aren’t starting and they’re plugged in,” she said. “Once it starts getting into that -40 C to -50 C range, nothing starts and everyone starts using roadside.”

Tow truck drivers have had to bundle up while outside and are making sure to follow the mask mandate, dating back to last March. Hayes said means limiting situations where customers have to be driven, although that’s often not possible in this cold period.

“We’re trying not to take passengers if we don’t have to, but at the same time, we won’t leave anybody on the side of the road,” she said. “If you’re on the highway, that takes priority,”

Hayes expects work to remain steady for another day or two before the number of calls slows down.

When you get to the weekends, generally people will stay home,” she said. “Monday through Friday, you’re busier, because people have to get to work, doctors’ appointments, etc., so they have to go.”

RCMP advise everyone avoid travel

Staff Sgt. Jason Teniuk of the Battlefords RCMP Detachment said because of the cold, they’ve had substantially less calls than usual. One of their focuses is urgently responding to any highway incidents, due to the risk for those who could be stranded.

Thankfully we have not had a lot of that type of thing,” Teniuk said. “A lot of people just aren’t going out quite frankly.”

He recommends that everyone stay home if possible especially in regards to longer travelling.

“It depends on what kind of hours you’re travelling at, where you’re travelling,” he said. “You end up on a side road or secondary highway and you get stuck or the car breaks down and you’re sitting in this cold weather for an extended period of time that is extremely dangerous.”

“So, if you don’t have to travel, I would suggest against it.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports