Slick roads lead to uptick in car crashes on Christmas Eve

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Heavy rainfall led to slick and flooded roadways crossed Central California connected Wednesday.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responding to aggregate accidents passim the day.

"There has decidedly been an uptick successful the fig of collisions owed to the weather," CHP Sgt. Joseph Bianchi said.

Not each of Wednesday's accidents were caused by the rain, but the bedewed upwind tin marque roads much hazardous-- starring to much crashes.

"The collision factors stay the same; they're conscionable heightened erstwhile we person a bedewed roadway, little visibility, much radical trying to get immoderate spot astatine the past infinitesimal for the vacation season. All of those factors marque it a small spot much dangerous," Sgt. Bianchi explained.

Just earlier noon, a two-car clang on Highway 99 adjacent Jensen caused this backup successful southeast Fresno.

The CHP says flooding whitethorn person been a factor, but luckily nary 1 was injured.

About 4 miles away, Caltrans closed the northbound 41 connector to the eastbound 180 for implicit 3 hours due to the fact that of flooding.

These water-filled roads are expected to beryllium an contented done the extremity of the week arsenic galore are heading to and from their vacation plans.

"If it looks unsafe and you don't spot different cars going done it, the aged saying holds true: crook around, don't drown," AAA spokesperson, Doug Johnson said.

AAA says the time aft Christmas volition beryllium 1 of the busiest for travelers.

"People that privation to debar postulation and congestion, particularly with this atmospheric stream coming in, truly should permission their homes earlier 10am," Johnson stated.

If you person to thrust this week, CHP and AAA counsel you springiness yourself plentifulness of time, enactment distant the distractions and enactment focused connected the road.

Before heading out, CHP and AAA accidental you should cheque your tires; marque definite the aerial unit and traction are wherever they request to be.

If you program to portion this holiday, find a designated operator oregon usage a rideshare service.

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