INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Hazardous road conditions have been reported throughout Indiana due to significant snowfall, prompting the Indiana State Police to urge caution among motorists.
According to Sergeant John Perrine, the public information officer for the Indiana State Police’s Indianapolis District, road conditions are not in good shape at all.
“It’s probably the deepest snow that I’ve seen on our highways in recent memory for a long time, so it’s passable, but it’s certainly hazardous,” he said.
Since 6 p.m., ISP have responded to about 70 crashes and slide-offs, which Perrine said is a relatively low number for a snowstorm. He attributed this to people making the wise decision to stay home and avoid travel during the storm. Perrine also said that four drunk drivers were arrested overnight
“If you’re patient, if you drive carefully and slowly, you can make it, The problem is when people get out here and get impatient” said Perrine
In circumstances where drivers find themselves stuck, Perrine said to remain inside their vehicles. “What we see time and time again is people get out without any idea of how dangerous it is to be standing on the side of the road and then they get hit or their car gets hit and they get caught in the wreckage. So stay in your car with your seat belt on, call 911, we’ll get there and we’ll help you.”
“You got to kind of manipulate your heating system to keep your windshield as hot as possible to keep that ice off your windshield wipers,” Perrine said.
Officials will continue to monitor road conditions and assist motorists in distress as needed.