Winter storm prompts Marion County journey watch as crashes spike in a single day

INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County officers upgraded the native journey standing to a Travel Watch Saturday as a winter storm continues to batter central Indiana, marking the second stage of emergency journey restrictions.

Under a Travel Watch, situations are thought-about threatening to public security. Only important journey — resembling commuting to work or responding to emergencies — is advisable throughout the watch standing.

Marion County EMA

Overnight crash surge

The harmful situations led to a major spike in site visitors incidents throughout Indianapolis in a single day, in accordance with Indiana State Police Sgt. Perrine.

In Marion County and surrounding counties, in a single day crash numbers included:

• 78 crashes, together with 10 with accidents
• 16 slide-offs
• 27 motorist assists for disabled autos

Officials are actively monitoring highway situations and should escalate Marion County’s journey standing because the storm progresses. Indiana makes use of three journey standing ranges: Advisory, Watch and Warning.

Safety suggestions

For those that should journey, officers suggest:

• Drive with excessive warning
• Allow further journey time
• Leave loads of room between autos, together with snowplows
• Notify household or pals upon arrival
• Keep autos fueled
• Carry emergency provides together with blankets, a small shovel, charged telephone

For minor property-damage accidents, drivers ought to alternate data and proceed on their approach. Weather impacts could delay first responder and tow truck response instances.

Call 911 just for emergencies. For non-emergencies, dial 311.

View present journey advisories and definitions at www.in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map/.