Road conditions in OKC: Q&A with Oklahoma Highway Patrol on metro crashes

After a wave of winter weather left behind frozen roadways, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has been responding to several reported crashes across the state.

RELATED: LIVE UPDATES: OKC metro sees ice & sleet, hazardous travel conditions

News 9 spoke with OHP Trooper Preston Cox on Wednesday to learn more about the agency's response.

Q: What is OHP seeing this morning?

A: "We're having very slick road conditions right now. We stress that if anyone does not have to drive, go ahead and wait and or don't drive this morning. Again, the road conditions are very slick, and we're having a significant amount of collisions in and around the [Oklahoma City] metro area and outside of the metro area as well."

Q: What is the exact situation on Interstate 40 by the Cherokee Trading Post, and then on to the Clinton area?

A: "We have a jack-knife semi-truck that was blocking lanes that shut down I 40, and we're having a significant amount of collisions in that area."

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Q: What makes this weather event different than others when it comes to driving on these interstates?

A: "A lot of times motorists will think that it's not slick and hazardous conditions, and it actually is very slick. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol will stress that if anyone does have to leave their residence and get on the roadway for any reason, to take their time and have a secondary plan in route. Charge your cell phones, have warm clothes, and again, always have a backup plan."

Q: You keep saying folks are just driving too fast for the conditions, can you be specific?

A: "That's a very difficult question, but again, it's whatever speed that you can drive and make it to your destination safely without striking anything or anyone."

Q: We're seeing crashes on just about every major interstate here across central Oklahoma this morning, how difficult is it to have such a widespread event like this when it comes to responding to these crashes?

A: "The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has been very well prepared for this. We've brought in extra personnel to help relieve and make it to these collisions in a timely manner."