Icy conditions overnight lead to spike in crashes, falls around Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Overnight freezing rain left many roads and sidewalks coated in ice across the Rochester area, leading to an increase in crashes and falls as people headed out Friday morning. Michael Witkowski, chief operating officer of Monroe Ambulance, said crews saw a noticeable uptick in calls related to the icy conditions. “We did see an uptick in car accidents and then obviously this morning the same thing as people started to go out to work,” Witkowski said. Witkowski said Monroe Ambulance responded to roughly 12 to 15 additional calls overnight. Many of those incidents were directly related to the icy conditions. “It was related all to ice because all of the incidents were either a car accident, car off the road, person fell, person fell in their driveway, a person fell in their steps,” Witkowski said. To help crews operate safely during winter weather, Witkowski said ambulances carry ice melt throughout the colder months. “We carry that through the entire winter season and especially now with the flip-flopping of the weather,” he said. Rochester resident Nick Gelo said the sudden change in conditions caught many people off guard. “Earlier this week we were walking around in shorts and T-shirts,” Gelo said. “I was actually skateboarding earlier this week outside. Then today everything’s covered in ice. Everything’s dangerous.” Valarie Puma with AAA said drivers should slow down and give themselves extra time when traveling in icy conditions. “You want to make sure that you are giving yourself lots of extra time in the morning or before your commute, just so you're not in a rush to get to your destination,” Puma said. If a vehicle slides off the road, Puma said drivers should remain inside the car with their seatbelt fastened. “You want to make sure that if another driver has the exact same thing happen and they go veering off, if they're going to put you in an unsafe situation, you being in your vehicle and buckled up is the safest place for you to be,” Puma said. Officials say drivers and pedestrians should take their time on icy roads and walkways and contact first responders if an emergency occurs.