Icy Roads Cause Crashes, Scary Conditions
Black ice was to blame for accidents up and down Interstate 55 and Interstate 80 and on area roads.
Black ice on interstates and local roads caused spinouts and fender-benders Monday night, but no serious injuries, according to the Illinois State Police.
"It started about 5:30 p.m.," District 5 Master Sgt. Jeff Padilla said. "We had a bunch."
Black ice is a thin, usually clear sheet of ice that is often invisible to drivers. Because it is invisible, drivers cannot adjust speed or incorporate other driving techniques to stay safe on the road. Monday was the first time this area has had snow or ice in these temperatures. In fact, had the area not seen snow on Monday, it would have tied an all-time state record.
The accidents spanned the area, with crashes along Interstate 55, Interstate 80 and Interstate 57 as well as local roads. There were at least five on I-55, south of the I-80 interchange, Padilla said.
"It was everywhere; we had them at Route 30 and Renwick Road," he said.
Many of the crashes were reported along I-80 in the Joliet area and on I-55 both north and south of the I-80 interchange, he said.
"It was pretty widespread," Padilla said.
On Interstate 55, south of the Interstate 80 interchange, Padilla said there were about five accidents, all spin outs. That was both northbound and southbound.
By about 9:30 p.m., conditions had significantly improved.
"It’s pretty much cleared up now," Padilla said. "IDOT came out and salted on our request."
Our local forecast does not predict any further precipitation until Saturday. The high that day is predicted to be 44 degrees.
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Infamous Steve
9:12 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Just more proof that people can't drive. It gets a little wet out and everyone forgets how to drive. Not looking forward to sharing the road with people this winter...
opinion8ed
10:43 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
It seems infamous steve has no life. Every article I read, he has to comment about everybody else!
forget me
12:39 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Patch allows you to express your opinions. He tells it like it is, no sugar coating. I like that he or she isn't phony and doesn't patronize people. Keep blogging Steve-o! there are alot of people on here that don't like what i say either. It doesn't hurt my feelings. I'm not a robot or stepford wife.
Infamous Steve
9:27 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Thank you...nice to see someone out there has a brain.
opinion8ed
1:18 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Yeah, people make mistakes charlies angel and infamous steve! Sorry the rest of the world isn't as perfect as you two!
opinion8ed
1:44 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Another thing for you two morons... you two must have low self-esteem issues or are spineless wimps yourselves to constantly rant about everyone else. I am just saying that anytime I have read an article, the so called infamous wimp,I mean steve has to "bully" people all of the time. It is you two that are stepford wives. I am sure he is a perfect driver and has never made a mistake in his life. Maybe he hates the world, or is just a pompous a&&! You can have an opinion, but you don't always have to attack somebody for their opinion. I know I am doing that right now, because I can't stand people who think they can bully other people around!
forget me
2:34 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Bullying and having opinions differ. You my dear need anger management. Hate is a strong word. You need to grow up. Nobody here are calling you names. You're the bully. One more thing you seem to be monitoring the sites quite often yourself. Just because people read the articles, doesn't mean they don't have a life. What people do with their lives are their own choice. Look how you are behaving and name calling. I surely wasn't doing that.
opinion8ed
3:16 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
NO, actually, I have read maybe 6 articles in the last two months. One I recall about a house fire where the so called infamous steve has to ridicule a fire department. It sounds like to me he has to grow up. Maybe he couldn't make it as a fireman, or he is just jealous. The other 4-5 articles I have read, he constantly has to be negative towards somebody else's comments. Like I said he must not have a life. And you "my dear" are an idiot! And yes, I already admit the name calling, just stating a fact, Thanks!
Infamous Steve
9:26 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
What a LOSER!!!
forget me
4:36 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Thank you very much!
Infamous Steve
9:35 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Your lame excuse for a unprovoked attack makes me laugh opinion8ed. Yes I have nothing but negative things to say about the fire dept. here. They used to be a volunteer dept. which rarely lost buildings to fires. Now that they are fully staffed and paid hourly, it seems that they have lost every building they have battled against. Second you were close on me hating something...it's not the world though. It is the people like you that populate it that I hate. Third, I must have a life since it has taken me this long to respond to your FOUR comments. Seems like you are the one that might not have a life. And lastly don't try to start with me...telling me I am a bully. You have NO idea...I go beyond being a bully. I make people rethink life decisions. Was someone picked on in high school and just can't let it go? So now everytime someone speaks their mind you consider them to be bullying you? Everytime I get rid of the haters a new one has to pop up....