Severe winter weather always results in an increased number of car accidents and this year was no exception, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jill Wieneke said.
From noon Monday to the same time Tuesday, CPD responded to about 20 accidents, Wieneke said. Of these accidents, only two resulted in injuries.
In that same time period, Wieneke said CPD received more than 80 calls reporting stalled and stuck vehicles. Many of these cars were left marked with a strip of yellow plastic tied around the antenna, which signified no one was inside of them. The markers were necessary because tow trucks stood an equal chance of getting stuck in the snow, and consequently cars were only moved if they caused a major traffic hazard.
“The biggest problem has been caused by people trying to drive before the streets have been cleared,” Wieneke said. “We are asking citizens to stay home and give road crews time to clean the streets and make them safe for travel.”
From Tuesday to Wednesday, CPD received an additional 12 calls, Wieneke said. No injuries happened during this time period.
When a car accident is reported, the Columbia Fire Department responds as well, Columbia Fire Department Battalion Chief James Weaver said.
“We’ve responded to quite a bit of accidents,” Weaver said.
He said many Columbia businesses were closed, which cut down on the necessity of travel.
As of about 10 a.m. Tuesday, most of the major roads, such as Providence Road and South College Avenue, had been cleared. By Thursday, the majority of roads and walkways were plowed, but many cars were still lodged in the snow.
The Missouri Department of Transportation discouraged Missouri drivers from braving the streets on Monday.
“Our crews are ready to give it their all,” Missouri Department of Transportation Director of System Management Don Hillis said in a news release. “We’re looking at significant snow accumulations, ice, heavy winds and bitter cold, so this storm is definitely going to be a challenge. We’ll be out in full force doing all we can to clear the roads. We ask the public to work with us by limiting travel as much as possible in the next few days.”
Public transit on the roads makes it more difficult for road workers to clear the road, the release said.
“The fewer people on the road, the better we can do our job and the safer it is for everyone,” Hillis said.
Because of this, MU encouraged students living off campus to travel to campus via public transportation for Friday’s classes. Campus shuttles halted operations at 10 p.m. Monday, and have since resumed services.
“While Campus Facilities crews have worked 24/7 to clear snow and make the campus as safe as possible, students and employees should take care when walking, because it has not been possible to completely remove snow and ice from various walkways and areas,” an MU news release stated.
