Troopers respond to at least 25 stranded drivers in Mid-Missouri during Tuesday snow storm

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

During snow storms, it's important to remember that the busier roads are going to be cleared first. Back roads and residential streets will take longer to get cleared.

Chad Slate, with I-70 Towing, said there's always more crashes and slide offs during the first big snow storm of the winter.

"Any time that you have winter weather, especially the first storm, you're going to have more of this because people, some people have forgotten," Slate said. "You always have new people in to our  location and they're just unaware of how to drive in winter weather. The main thing is just slow down and take it easy."

The biggest problem troopers are responding to is people sliding off the road into the snow and getting stuck in their car.

The most recent numbers from Missouri State Highway Patrol show troopers responded to 25 stranded drivers as of 1 p.m. Tuesday in Mid-Missouri. Monday, of the more than 400 calls troopers responded to, about half of them were stranded drivers.

"Call somebody that can come help you, either a local tow company or if you have a friend that can come get you. If your vehicle's off the road, you don't necessarily have to take care of it right away, but you're going to want to get steps in order to get it taken care of by somebody," Slate said.

The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency advises people to do the following if stranded in a car in the snow:

• Call for help
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to your car antenna
• Run the car for 10 minutes an hour with the window cracked, make sure tailpipe is not blocked by snow
• Use a blanket or extra clothes to bundle up
• Stay in the car until someone comes to help