As students and faculty drove to classes on Thursday, the winter weather iced over the streets, causing some students to have accidents instead of attending class.

At least 15 cars were pulled out of the ditches on Thursday due to inclement weather, said Jamey Himes, the owner of the Priceless Car Care and Towing.

Himes said his business had responded to 15 different cars that wound up in ditches after Thursday’s snowfall.

Lt. Brad Oyer, of the Charleston Police Department, said the increase in accidents during the winter weather months is simply because motorists forget how to drive in the snow.

“You got to remember with the plows out there, the roads are going to be a little slicker and the stopping distance may be a little shorter,” Oyer said.

Oyer said the main thing to remember when driving during the winter weather is to slow down, take your time and leaving a little bit early.

“The main thing is getting there safely,” Oyer said. “More accidents happen in this type of weather because people are driving too fast.”

Oyer said that each year, with new drivers driving through the snow for the first time or people who are not used to the extreme winter weather, accidents remain fairly steady from year to year.

It is also important for the driver to make sure that the vehicle is in good running condition, Oyer said, and to make sure that in case of a breakdown, that there are supplies available in case of a breakdown such as a cell phone to call for help and blankets to keep warm.

David Johnson, the owner of Johnson’s Automotive Service and an Eastern alum, said in order for driver’s to make sure the their vehicle is in running condition, they should check the antifreeze levels as it starts to snow, as well as making sure there is enough tread on all tires.

Johnson, like Oyer, said the main thing to remember when driving in winter weather is to make sure that motorists drive at reduced speeds.

Johnson said that when he was driving to another location, he was surprised about how fast people were still driving.

“It just amazed me how people were still trying to drive 75 miles an hour on a two lane highway,” Johnson said.

A common misconception that many motorists have about their cars during the winter months is that gas could freeze in a motorist’s tank if the tank is not full.

“Living in the Midwest, with all the alcohol they add to fuel, it almost never happens,” Johnson said.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or kjrichter@eiu.edu