Roads Beginning To Deteriorate In Southwest Oklahoma

Frigid temperatures and winter precipitation began impacting Oklahoma in the morning hours of Tuesday, Feb. 18. The cold, snow and ice caused roads to quickly deteriorate, making travel difficult and bringing some traffic to a standstill.

Accident reports began flooding in while people made their way to work in Oklahoma this morning. News 9 Meteorologist Lacey Swope stated on her official Facebook page that roads across Oklahoma City were icier than they appeared.

And throughout the morning, accidents began to stack up roads and highways in Oklahoma City.

Road conditions are also slick in southwest Oklahoma.

Soon roads in southwest Oklahoma began to get slick. At 9 a.m. the Comanche County Emergency Management reported that various roads in southwest Oklahoma were becoming dangerous and encouraged drivers to take it slow. In less than an hour, the Comanche County Emergency Management reported that freezing mist was creating black ice on roads in southwest Oklahoma.

The Lawton Fire Department also reported that around 10 a.m. roads in Lawton were beginning to become slick and encouraged residents to remain home.

And accidents along I-44 near Elgin were being reported around 11 a.m. and that roads near Elgin were "very slick."

Accidents in slick conditions are mostly caused by people driving too fast.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol began reporting accidents due to slick road conditions early this morning. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol stated that the main reason most of the accidents were occurring this morning because people were driving too fast given the conditions.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol also provided guidelines for those who have to drive in the slick, icy conditions. And if you do have to travel, you can check road conditions at okroads.org.