Staying safe in slick road conditions

The Columbia and Boone County Fire Protection District had a busy weekend with weather-related crashes. They responded to over a dozen calls.

Even tow truck companies fear the icy conditions.

ABC 17 spoke to David Debates, the owner of Tiger Towing, he said, “a fourteen thousand pound truck, you know, it’s kind of a missile, if it just starts taking off, that can create some problems.”

Tiger Towing told us, their trucks have claws on them to help them dig into the ground, they also use ice melts and rock salt to thaw the road before retrieving someone in rural situations.

Both the towing company and the Boone County Fire Protection District explained that it is best to not go out during icy weather, if you do not have to. But, if you do, “give yourself plenty of time, make sure somebody knows what time to expect you and where you’re going, so if you don’t arrive at a certain time. Or, if you have difficulties. People know where you’re at or where you’re headed,” said Gale Blomenkamp, the Assistant Chief of the Boone County Fire Protection District.

Blomenkamp did say that no matter what the conditions are, they can always reach someone. They have rope systems to pull people out and snow mobiles to get closer.

Debates said if you get stuck, then, “you have to be patient, methodically to get it out without tearing anything up if you can.”

Both the towing company and the fire department said to drive slowly and to be careful.

Local auto body shops have already seen several thousand dollars worth of damage from this weekend alone. They expect to see a lot more after the accidents go through insurance.