Big Country Travel Alert: Road Conditions

12:20pm Update:
There were 57 weather-related accidents on the roads in Abilene Monday morning.  Sgt. Keith Shackleford with the Abilene Police Department said 21 people reported injuries but none of them serious. 

Here's a break down of the most active locations:

• I-20 (14 accident calls)
• Loop 322 (10 accident calls)
• Hwy 83/84 (10 accident calls)
  

7:30am Update:
The Abilene Fire Department has issued this statement regarding road conditions:

The Abilene Fire and Police Departments have responded to numerous vehicle accidents due to the icing of area bridges and overpasses. Conditions deteriorated rapidly around 6 this morning resulting in 23 calls for assistance within the past hour. Fortunately, there have not been a great number of injuries associated with these incidents. However, it is advised that motorists slow down, allow extra time to reach their destination, and obey the directions of crews working at the scene to minimize the instances of injury to drivers and emergency responders.

Accidents are currently being reported at the following locations:

• I-20 at Loop 322
• I-20 and Grape St.
• 11th St. at Oldham Ln.
• Southwest Dr. at Danville
• Highway 80 at MLK bridge

6:45am Update:
Accidents are currently being reported at the following locations:

• 83/84 at Highway 277
• Buffalo Gap Rd at Winters Fwy
• I-20 at Westlake Rd
• Loop 322 Overpass at 83/84
• Loop 322 at I-20
• Highway 80 at Elmdale Rd.
• Loop 322 at Buffalo Gap Rd.
• Highway 80 at I-20

3:00am Update
Drivers in the Big Country should be on high alert for the threat of winter precipitation across the Big Country during the day on Monday as many people are heading back to work and children are heading back to school after the holiday break. If you don't have to be out on the roadways, your are urged to stay at home. If travel is absolutely necessary, please follow these safety tips as recommended by the Texas Department of Transportation. The following information can help you drive safely when winter weather strikes.

* Check the road conditions and stay tuned to local news broadcasts for more information on roadway and weather conditions.

* Remove snow and ice from your vehicle before you drive, making sure the headlights and taillights are visible.

* Accelerate slowly.

* Increase your following distance.

* Brake gently in slow, steady strokes to see how much traction you have, and begin braking early when approaching intersections or stops.

* Approach bridges, shaded spots, overpasses and turns slowly.

* Never use cruise control in winter driving conditions.

 * Use non-freezing windshield washer liquid.

 * Use snow tires and/or chains (where allowed).

 * If you are stranded, call the Texas Department of Public Safety's stranded motorist hotline toll-free at (800) 525-5555.


Instant Road Condition Information:

• Texas Road Conditions: 1-800-452-9292

• TXDOT Road Conditions (Online)