There were 21 accidents on Ames roadways in the midst of the first snowstorm of the year Jan. 5.

Ames Police Investigations Commander Jason Tuttle said those accidents included crashes and vehicles that went in the ditch due to poor road conditions. 

“That first major storm, we always tend to have more accidents and people forget how to drive on slick roads,” Tuttle said. “I think what we’ve seen a lot this morning is people were sliding through intersections and crashed into other vehicles.”

The largest accident involved several semis on I-35 near the on-ramp for Highway 30 around 5 p.m. on Jan. 5, Tuttle said. 

In all, the Ames Police Department had six officers out during the brunt of the storm, and called more in to enforce the snow ordinance that began at 5 p.m.

Tuttle said 20 citations were handed out for residents who failed to keep their vehicles off the streets to allow snow plows through during the ordinance. There were 12 vehicles towed, also. 

“That’s a pretty low number. In the past, we’ve towed up to 50 or 60 vehicles during a snow incident,” Tuttle said. 

Tuttle said he expects to see more accidents this afternoon during rush hour. 

“We’re getting some refreeze on some of these roadways. When vehicles travel over it just because of the temperature of the tires, it melts the snow a little bit, and then the wind comes back up and refreezes the road,” Tuttle said. 

Tips for driving in the snow

• Slow down.
• Allow for plently of time to get where you’re going. 
• Keep plenty of distance between yourself and other vehicles.