Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- More than 300 car accidents piled up on the roads in a few short hours Monday morning, which made it a busy day for state troopers helping drivers apparently not ready for winter driving.
Although the number of accidents seem high, state troopers say it is actually typical for a light snowstorm, with many people underestimating the amount of snow. And for some, the overconfidence led to some big problems.
Dennis Steed was grateful to not have a passenger in his vehicle after hitting the back end of a semitruck, shattering the passenger side of the windshield.
"I just lost it coming around the corner there. I hit a patch of slush and ended up sliding, and ended up in the back end of the semi there," Steed described. "I thought I was going to end up under it. Luckily I didn't."
I just lost it coming around the corner there. I hit a patch of slush and ended up sliding, and ended up in the back end of the semi there. I thought I was going to end up under it. Luckily I didn't.
–Dennis Steed
Across the Wasatch Front, a flurry of snow and crashes kept state troopers backed up on calls for several hours. Officers had to spend the morning prioritizing their calls, helping individuals with injuries and those blocking the road before attending to other vehicles. For those involved in minor accidents, it meant a long waiting time.
"I'm losing patience quickly," said Chris Wright, who had to wait for more than three hours before state troopers arrived. "We did have a fire engine and an ambulance stop right after it happened and check if we were all right, and then left immediately."
State troopers said balding tires and high speeds accounted for much of Monday's mess. Officers are asking drivers to continue to be extra careful while driving on the icy roads.
