Officials discuss how to respond to winter roadway accidents
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JACKSON, Tenn. — It may be March, but winter weather seems to have forgotten spring is just 16 days away. With more messy conditions expected, accidents requiring law enforcement to respond are likely. “If you have a minor crash and it’s one vehicle, I’m telling my family to get home,” Lt. Brad Wilbanks said. Tennessee Highway Patrol says in minor crashes only, as long as you call to report the accident before you leave the scene, you’re acting within the law, especially if it’s in unsafe conditions. But be sure to call your insurance company to report the claim. The Jackson Police Department says if you find yourself in an accident, wait until authorities respond. In some cases you may be asked to travel to the police station once conditions clear. “When there is snow or ice, you never know what your vehicle is going to do so you need to slow down,” Wilbanks said. And to limit the number of responses during this storm, officials say drivers need to respect each other. “Some people are very comfortable in driving in the snow, some people are scared to death, but we need to work together and make room,” WIlbanks said.
