The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, December 12, 2014 | 6 The rst snowfall of the season more than a week ago took many drivers by surprise -- somehow -- and utter chaos ensued on our roads. Ramps to the QEW were closed, collisions were rampant elsewhere in town and major arteries, which often move at a snail's pace at the best of times, nearly ground to a halt. Anyone with a radio heard the reports of the OPP warning the litany of collisions had less to do with the weather than it did people's driving. With the major dumping of the white stuff that followed yesterday -- Environment Canada warned Halton could see upwards of 20 centimetres of the uffy, but unfriendly, stuff for drivers -- Halton Regional Police were reminding motorists of tips to make winter driving as safe as possible. That is, right after they tweeted that if you don't need to go out, stay home, preferably with a good book. If you do venture out on the roads in winter, especially in severe weather, police ask you consider the following: Is your car ready for the winter? · Winterize your vehicle by checking tire pressure, inspecting belts and hoses, making sure your battery is fully charged and inspecting the wipers and wiper uid · Keep your fuel tank at least half full · Clear your windshield, windows and mirrors before hitting the road · Winter tires are recommended, particularly if you drive in snowbelt areas · Travel with a cellphone · Carry an Emergency Road Kit that contains a shovel, candle, matches and a blanket Then, when you're on the road: · Drive according to the weather and road conditions · Brake before you enter into a turn · If you skid, turn your wheels into the skid and accelerate slightly to gain control, look to where you want your vehicle to go and steer toward that spot · Avoid cruise control on wet, snowy and icy roads · Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front; all vehicles take longer to stop on slippery roads · Stay off the roads on severe winter days, unless your trip is absolutely necessary · Check weather and road reports before heading out · Give yourself extra time to get to your destination Remember, too, the folks who are on the roads for more than a commute, but all day -- those who drive for a living, including truck drivers, rst responders, taxi and bus drivers and delivery people, all of whom become vulnerable when road conditions deteriorate. If you're planning a longer road trip, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) advises a fully-equipped winter driving kit. It should include a bag of sand, salt or kitty litter, traction mats, a snow shovel, a snow brush and ice scraper, ares or a `Call Police' sign, and fuel line de-icer. Also, in case you're ever stranded in a cold vehicle, keep a blanket and extra clothing on hand, including a hat, wind-proof pants, gloves and warm footwear, as well as snacks, water, and the usual drivers' aids -- rstaid kit, roadmaps and booster cables. This winter, stay alert, be patient, expect the unexpected and be safe. Winter driving takes time Editorial W H Y W A I T F O R S P "Connected to your Community" R I N G ? 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 52 | Number 134 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Glenburnie School didn't let early snow or cold temperatures interfere with the of cial opening of the school's outdoor classroom in mid-November. Grade 8 students played drums at the ceremonial tree planting. Linda Sweet, left, the founder of the school, helps Grade 8 student Adelaide Hughes, 13, plant sweet grass. The students also planted a grey dogwood tree, which is native to the area. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Letters to the Editor Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Someone must champion Aboriginal rights Oakville MP Terence Young has written a game changing book: Death by Prescription that, with controlled anger directed at those who exploit illness and fail to give diligent care, has brought about signi cant and worthwhile changes in the provision of medications. Why can he not extend that same righteous compassion towards First Nations women and peoples? In the most recent edition of Inside Ottawa, the section titled `Action on murdered and missing aboriginal women' gives the impression that the whole problem is caused by First Nations peoples themselves and that the institutions of the larger society have done all that can be reasonably expected of them. Granted, the First Nations communities need to take resolute actions to improve mutual respect amongst their members, but in the article, there is no recognition of the fundamental, devastating and continuing impact of dispossessing, disrespectful, con ning and culturallydepriving actions by some in society. Degrading acts create demoralized people. There is no recognition of the urgent need and opportunity for representatives of First Nations, government, faith communities, business, academia and the arts to come together and decide on action to be taken, on and off reserve, to respond to this obscenity in our society. Basically, these daughters have died because of neglect -- social and institutional neglect. That has to stop. Let your heart speak, Terence, not just government policy. Mervyn Russell, Oakville Editor's Note: for additional letters on this topic, visit www.oakvillebeaver.com. Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via email to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.