Warmer weather brings more crashes
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(ABC 6 News)- Wednesday morning, the Minnesota State Patrol responded to 23 crashes, 31 cars going off of the road, and three jackknifed semi-trucks in southeastern Minnesota.
Part of the problem for the slick roads is the slush. The recent warmer temperatures are melting the snow, but when it gets cold overnight and temperatures drop that slush is freezing into ice.
“It’s very slippery! It’s been days and the plows have been through…” exclaimed Tamara Clemente.
Clemente was driving to work Wednesday morning when she took a turn too fast, slipping off the road, and heading straight into a ditch.
“I mean, I was going kind of slow, I thought I was going slow, but not slow enough,” she said.
This time of year, the warmer temperatures do not necessarily mean safer roads.
Wednesday morning, the Minnesota State Patrol responded to 23 crashes, 31 cars going off of the road, and three jackknifed semi-trucks in southeastern Minnesota.
“People have to remember, if they think, ‘oh it was great yesterday’ they get in and they take off, and it may be great for miles, but there’s still potential for that icy patch,” explained MN Dept. of Transportation spokesperson, Mike Dougherty.
Gracie Kreisher drives from her house in Rochester to Kasson to visit her family. On the short drive Wednesday morning, she recalled a close call of her own.
“A huge semi-truck pulled out in front of me and I didn’t have enough time to stop…so I had to go around him,” explained Kreisher. “So, a little slippery, even when it doesn’t look as slippery as it is, there are some spots that kind of sneak up on you.”
As we come fresh off of a days-long blizzard, those fluctuating temperatures are creating a false sense of safety for people navigating the roads.
These higher speeds and a false sense of safety have led to more crashes and spinouts.
People like Clemente say slow is the way to go and it’s best not to risk it.
“Just take it easy, don’t drive if you don’t have to. It’s just not worth it,” added Clemente.