Cars Slipping and Sliding All Over Due To Icy Conditions

We've all heard the warning before:  Stay off the roads unless you absolutely must travel.

This time -- you'll especially want to follow that advice.

Countless -- and we mean countless -- wrecks took place across Alabama Sunday as sleet, snow, and freezing rain fell from the sky.

Corporal Steve Smith, spokesman for the Alabama State Troopers, said he would not be releasing wreck totals until at least Tuesday because the amount of wrecks continues to climb so quickly.  Troopers are focusing all of their efforts on responding to the most serious of crashes and encouraging other people to stay off the roads.

Especially after sunset, overpasses turned dangerously slippery.

"If you break down out here on the Interstate, there's no guarantee that we're going to be able to get to you," Smith advised.  "If you can't drive on the roads, we probably can't get there to you."

"You're just going to have to be patient," Smith added.  "If you're going to be traveling, and this falls on deaf ears, make sure your call is full of gas, because you're going to be there awhile until we can get to you."

Some of the crashes that took place were major.  Ambulances tried to navigate icy lanes to get urgent care to the injured.

Other crashes were minor.  Many drivers had to simply exchange insurance and contact information among themselves before moving on without police assistance due to the sheer volume of wrecks police were handling.

John Metcalf was among those tangled up in a minor crash.  He lost control on Interstate 65 northbound, just past Green Springs and University Boulevard.

"I was coming off a little slope, and I hit the wall, and it blew my tire out," Metcalf said from the side of the road.  "I hit a patch of ice, and I lost control."

Metcalf at least had a good reason to be on the roads.  He was headed home from a long day at work at a local grocery store, helping people stock their shelves with food and supplies in case the roads are bad for a long time.

Even so, Metcalf may do a couple things differently next time.

"I'll try to get home a whole lot faster, and I'll slow down!" he said with a grin.

ALDOT Road Closures:  Remember, this link covers major roads.  It does not necessarily list ALL local roads that are closed.  Assume ALL roads are dangerous, and only drive if you must.  http://aldotgis.dot.state.al.us/RoadClosures/Default.aspx