VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Hazardous road conditions led to many accidents in the Wabash Valley on Monday.
State and local law enforcement agencies reported responding to numerous crashes and slide-offs throughout the area.
Vigo County Sheriff Derek Fell says on Monday alone, the agency responded to 42 accidents.
When the weather causes bad road conditions, Sheriff Fell encourages people to stay off the roadways unless it’s absolutely necessary to travel.
He reminds drivers to be cautious, slow down, pay attention, give themselves plenty of stopping distance and plenty of time to reach their destinations.
Also, he says drivers should be prepared in case they become stranded.
“It’s important to have some type of emergency vehicle kit in your vehicle. So, just the basics: a first aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight, a blanket, maybe a battery power pack. Make sure you have plenty of fuel in your vehicle in case you do get stranded somewhere and it’s extremely cold outside,” says Sheriff Fell.
We also reached out to the Indiana Department of Transportation’s West Central District, which provided the following statement:
“INDOT crews were active yesterday evening through the early morning hours patrolling and treating state-maintained highways and interstates. As of Tuesday morning, roads in the Terre Haute area are in good condition, with crews having wrapped up operations for the time being.
Crews treat the roads with rock salt, which becomes half as effective when temperatures drop below 25 degrees. INDOT encourages motorists to slow down and drive carefully during any snow or ice event.”
INDOT West Central
