Friday storm plays role in 16 traffic accidents

A blanketing of snow on Friday in Bourbon County led to an increase in traffic accidents.

With about four inches of snow falling throughout Friday, both the Fort Scott Police Department and the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office responded to a total of 16 traffic accidents.

"Friday was the big one," FSPD Lt. Travis Shelton said. "I think it was in direct relation to the weather."

With 16 accidents reported in one day, both the FSPD and BBSO were spending much more of their time writing accident reports than usual. Shelton said that most days the FSPD will respond to an average of one accident per day.

"There is no comparison," Shelton said. "That is a lot of accidents."

Shelton added most of the accidents were minor and one of the 16 accidents reported involved a box truck which attempted to pass under the Third Street underpass and damaged the truck. However, the most common accident that occurred Friday were vehicles being unable to stop at intersections. Shelton said many people think that 4-wheel drive makes driving in the snow easier, but it does not prevent all accidents.

"A lot of people think they can get around a little better with 4-wheel drive ... which you can ... but you can't stop any better," Shelton said.

Despite the lack of freezing rain that occurred in Friday's snow storm, Shelton said there were still more accidents on Friday than during the December storm.

Shelton said the two main ways to prevent traffic accidents during snowy and icy weather are to stay at home and slow down.