This week’s winter storm brought freezing rain to the region, severely hindering road conditions and impeding commutes Tuesday evening.
The storm caused lengthy delays and even traffic accidents, some of which were still being dealt with the following morning. That’s according to Mike Middleton, a maintenance engineer for MODOT Southwest.
“There are places where people abandoned their cars yesterday evening,” Middleton said. “From communication I’ve heard with the Highway Patrol, there are still several vehicles people are dealing with being pulled off the road.”
More winter weather is expected to hit the region later in the week, but Middleton said that there are things motorists can do to reduce the potential for traffic hazards.
“Having materials like cat litter, a little bit of floor dry or salt in a bag from Home Depot; those kinds of things can be very beneficial. You could be in that parking lot and need a little more traction to move around,” Middleton said.
Middleton also said that drivers should remain patient and make smart choices while driving their vehicles.
“The vast majority of people were honestly doing everything they could, that is being very cautious and slow,” Middleton said. “But then you have someone driving on the shoulder beside you, hit their brakes going sideways. That’s stuff that can be controlled and that's people's own decisions. But a part of it is being patient.”
There’s another chance of freezing drizzle and sleet beginning Thursday morning.