The Eugene Police Department has reported in a press release that between 4 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., 32 car crashes have occurred on Eugene’s first snow day of the school year. As of 2 p.m., another 128 had been reported, bringing the total to 160.
Eugene police public information officer Melinda McLaughlin says that there have been no major injuries from the crashes, but multiple car crashes have happened around the University area, including one accident on 18th and Hilyard that was cited as a reckless endangerment and two separate car crashes on Willamette and 19th.
“The longer the snow is out, the more packed it will become which will make it more slick,” McLaughlin said. “Even if you have a green light, make sure to look both ways because not everyone will be able to stop on the roads today.”
According to McLaughlin, Eugene Public Works Emergency has been working on plowing the snow off the roads since 4:30 a.m. Roads that are more travelled on are getting top priority. The EPD has on its website which roads are being plowed.
According to the university parking transportation department, no parking citations will be handed out today.
“If students don’t feel comfortable with driving tonight, they can leave their cars on campus overnight without a citation,” parking transportation office clerk Kelsey Pardon said.
According to a UO Alert that was sent out Friday Afternoon, all classes, events and non-essential services beginning at 2 p.m. or later today will be suspended.
If students do plan on driving, then McLaughlin urges all students to drive cautiously and leave a plenty of room in between you and the other cars.
For more tips on how to drive in the snow, the EPD released an inclement weather driving tip video: