Wintry mix leaves major roads slick & icy

<p>Many parts of southern Connecticut escaped serious snow totals Wednesday, but some still saw plenty of rain, leaving roads slick for travelers.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jan 17, 2018, 7:44 PM

Updated 2,289 days ago

Share:

Many parts of southern Connecticut escaped serious snow totals Wednesday, but some still saw plenty of rain, leaving roads slick for travelers.
State police and the Department of Transportation monitors kept an eye on live traffic cameras at the dispatch center in Bridgeport to help respond rapidly to accidents on major roadways.
Despite wet and icy roads they say there have been fewer accidents so far than expected, possibly because many schools closed for the day in anticipation of the storm. That means fewer buses and parents driving through the slick conditions.
Authorities warned drivers to take it slow to be safe. Roads were expected to worsen as temperatures fell into the evening and led to more icing.
And authorities say there is a lesser-known law that can lead to tickets for drivers traveling at unsafe speeds in foul weather -- even when obeying the posted speed limit.
"There's a violation of a state law that's called traveling too fast for roadway conditions that we often use as a result of accidents that occur in bad weather like this," says state police Sgt. Robert Derry. "When we issue that ticket to that person as a result of an accident, they often say to us, well, no I wasn't speeding. That's not the issue. We're saying you're traveling too fast to maintain control of your vehicle."


More from News 12
1:53
Plenty of sunshine today with cooler temps for New Jersey; freeze watch until Friday

Plenty of sunshine today with cooler temps for New Jersey; freeze watch until Friday

2:10
Threatening message found at Dwight-Englewood middle school

Threatening message found at Dwight-Englewood middle school

0:36
New Jersey Instagram fraudster 'Jay Mazini' sentenced for his crypto scheme that preyed on Muslims

New Jersey Instagram fraudster 'Jay Mazini' sentenced for his crypto scheme that preyed on Muslims

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:26
Union police searching for missing 60-year-old man last seen at Whole Foods parking lot

Union police searching for missing 60-year-old man last seen at Whole Foods parking lot

0:24
Fanwood police warn of possible concert ticket scams on Facebook

Fanwood police warn of possible concert ticket scams on Facebook

2:19
How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

0:51
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

1:13
The East End: Shou Sugi Ban House in Watermill

The East End: Shou Sugi Ban House in Watermill

2:54
Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

0:56
Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

0:43
Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint