The pre-Easter nearblizzard conditions in Dufferin County Monday morning left three tractortrailer units jack-knifed on Airport Road north of Highway 89, and inspired the OPP once again to remind motorists of the hazards of winter driving.

At about noon Monday, Dufferin OPP reported a double tanker tractor trailer was stuck and jack knifed on the Airport Road hill between Mono Sideroads 4 and 5 and jack knifed. At the same time, the police reported a second jack knifed semi unit at 17 Sideroad in Mulmur and yet another near Mansfield Ski Resort.

Only the tractor trailer units were involved. There were no injuries and no collisions.

But the mishaps forced the closing of Airport Road from Highway 89 to Cashtown Corner near Creemore. As well, winter conditions forced the closure of Highway 89 between Airport Road and Highway 10 for about two hours.

Partly because of the what might have been the 2009 version of the annual Easter Blizzard, the OPP again joined with the Ontario Safety League, the Insurance Bureau of Canada and Paul Tracy to remind motorists that "extreme driving has extreme consequences"

Mr. Tracy was the 2003 Champ Car World Series winner. He is accustomed to speeds in excess of 220 km/h - but only on the track. "Extreme driving on our roads and highways is uncool and, more importantly, it leads to extreme consequences. These include hundreds of traffic related deaths each year and thousands of injuries resulting in permanent disabilities.

"If you want to prove yourself behind the wheel, save it for the race track," the OPP quotes Mr. Tracy as having said.

You might trust your own driving, but you have to be prepared to stop in time if something happens suddenly in your path - such as one of Monday's jack knifed semis. Or your wanton disregard for other traffic could cause one of those to jack knife.

Brian Patterson, President of Ontario Safety League, says that Extreme Driving encompasses high risk behaviour behind the wheel including driving at high speeds, failure to consider weather conditions, or driving while distracted, fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"Drivers have to be made aware of the fact that within seconds, this type of driving can lead to a lifetime of misery. There have been several tragic examples of this recently and it's time we demand that all drivers take responsibility for their behaviour."

It can also be costly financially. The OPP pointed out that fines for racing on public roads have risen to $10,000 from $1,000. Police can immediately suspend licences and impound cars for seven days if they suspect street racing or stunt driving or contests.