PORTAGE, Mich. — In south Michigan, drivers are experiencing icy and wet road conditions as sleet continues throughout the area.
Law enforcement have been busy in Kalamazoo County after many multi-vehicle accidents and road slide-offs because of the icy conditions.
READ MORE: Multiple crashes close I-94
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said they have all hands on deck.
"It really is just another winter day for us," said an MDOT spokesman Nick Shirripa.
On Friday, MDOT said they have up to 80 salt trucks out on the roadways in southwest Michigan.
"Our operators have been out all morning certainly doing everything they can. Right now, it’s a little more salt maybe, but it is salting, putting the blades down to scrape everything we can off. Unfortunately we don’t have much control other than that so the operators have been out, and they’ll stay out for as long as they need to," said Shirripa.
They're asking Michigan drivers to keep an eye out and to be patient while they do their jobs.
"Those men and women are out working their hind ends off for hours on end trying to make the roads safer for everybody. Give them lots of room to do what they need to do," said Shirripa.
A Kalamazoo County tow truck company was also out assisting with many of the accidents off of I-94, US-131 and even on city roads.
"Conditions are real slick. Right now they are a little wet, but as the night goes on temperatures start to drop and the roads become a sheet of ice. If you don’t have to leave, don’t leave," said Trent's Towing Tow Manager Garret Boyer.
If you do end up needing a tow truck, you could have a long wait time, so it's important to have a full tank of gas, coats, mittens and even blankets to stay warm while you wait.
"It could be within 30 minutes or 2 hours, sometimes longer than that, just depending on where you're located as opposed to the next call. We try to get to you as fast as we can, but as you can see, these roads are real treacherous right now. So take your time, and we will take our time so we can make sure to get you out safely," said Boyer.
Law enforcement are encouraging those people who don't have to drive to stay home.
If you must leave, ensure to give yourself plenty of time, limit distractions and keep space between the vehicles in front of you.
