COLORADO SPRINGS – There was plenty of stop-and-go traffic Sunday morning as drivers struggled to get around on the slippery roads. Traffic backed up for a couple of miles after a number of drivers got stranded along I-25 near the North Academy exit in Colorado Springs.
One of them was Brian Long. He’s helping his son move to college in Denver from Arizona this weekend. They got stuck in the snow while trying to avoid another driver who lost traction and slid on the ramp.
“He was getting no tractions so he basically was starting to slide down the hill and just did a 180.”
Things are backed up pretty far on I-25 at N. Academy. CDOT plow driver stopped to help get these stuck cars out of the snow pic.twitter.com/8NxWrwNYPH
— Andy Koen (@KOAAAndyKoen) November 11, 2018
There was no crash. Plow drivers from the Colorado Department of Transportation stopped to spread some sand under the tires of the stranded cars to help them get back onto the highway.
The plow drivers told News 5 they made several stops to help stuck drivers today. They will work 12-hour shifts during snow events to make sure the highway remains clear and passable.
In response to the multiple accidents along the highways in El Paso and Teller Counties, the Colorado State Patrol implemented Accident Alert protocols just before 11:00 a.m. Essentially, that means troopers will only respond tot he most serious accidents where there is a fatality or serious injury, vehicles are disabled, use of drugs or alcohol by one or more drivers is suspected or the accident is an alleged hit and run.
Icy conditions with multiple slide offs and crashes in El Paso and Teller Counties. CSP is on Accident Alert but will reassess the traffic and roadway conditions throughout the day.
— CSP Colorado Springs (@CSP_CSprings) November 11, 2018
Under these conditions drivers in less serious accidents are encouraged to exchange insurance information and file an online accident report as soon as possible.
