‘People need to slow down:’ State Patrol reports dozens of crashes, slideoffs overnight

Roads slippery Thursday morning as salt becomes less effective in cold temperatures

Jaymes Langrehr by Jaymes Langrehr

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin State Patrol is pleading with drivers to take things slow on their morning commute Thursday after snow overnight.

State Troopers have responded to at least 15 reports of slide-offs and semi-truck jackknifes since 3 a.m., according to the State Patrol. One of those incidents completely blocked southbound traffic at the Dane County-Columbia County line overnight. That jackknifed semi has since been cleared from the road.

The State Patrol says it was just one of multiple slideoffs and semi jackknifes reported in the early morning hours following snow overnight. Dane County dispatch says they received at least 10 reports of slideoffs between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Thursday. Those slideoffs slowed down as of 5:30 a.m., but officials expect those numbers to climb as the morning commute gets underway.

City of Madison crews have been plowing snow through the night and spreading sand, but with morning temperatures in the teens, they say salt is not very effective in clearing the roads. Drivers are urged to plan extra time for their morning commutes and drive carefully.

Watch News 3 Now This Morning for live updates on road conditions throughout the morning.

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