T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM The Ohio State Highway Patrol has reported a dozen accidents related to the inclement weather conditions this past weekend throughout the Ohio Valley.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Ohio State Highway Patrol has reported numerous accidents due to inclement weather conditions over the weekend throughout the Ohio Valley.

Due to the poor weather, there was a dozen vehicle accidents on Saturday alone. Sgt. Brian McFarland, of the St. Clairsville Post, reported there was three vehicle accidents in Belmont County, while Sgt. Jeff Bernard, of the Steubenville Post, reported nine vehicle accidents on Saturday in Jefferson and Harrison counties. Fortunately, both posts reported the majority of the accidents were all minor.

The troopers cited poor weather conditions as a contributing factor to most of the accidents that occurred over the weekend. The large amount of rainfall in conjunction with the drop in temperature led to less than desirable roadway conditions.

“The majority of accidents were due to the runoff of water on the hillsides. It froze on the roads from the previous days of rain,” McFarland said.

Although the Ohio Department of Transportation pre-treated the roads and were well prepared, some motorists continued to slide around, leading to accidents.

McFarland said there were no injuries reported in all three of the accidents in Belmont County. The accidents were sporadic, he said. The first occurred near Shadyside on Ohio 7, the second near Bridgeport on Interstate 70 and the third occurred near Flushing on Ohio 331. All of the accidents occurred during the “day shift,” he said.

“When the weather is predicted to be snow, ice, freezing rain, give enough space between cars (when driving). Make sure there’s enough distance to be able to stop,” he said.

Bernard said there were no serious injuries reported in the nine accidents either, only minor injuries and some property damage. Two of the accidents occurred in Harrison County, while seven occurred in Jefferson County.

“We had a couple on (Ohio) 9 in Harrison County. We had a couple on U.S. 22 in Jefferson County, (Ohio) 7 and (Jefferson) 5 and (Jefferson) 15 in Jefferson County,” he said.

Most of the accidents involved vehicles striking guard rails, ditches and some overturned vehicles, Bernard said.

“When there is freezing temperatures and snow, wet roads and slushy roadways, like on Saturday, motorists need to slow down and take your time,” he said. “(Drivers should) reduce speed, especially over bridges and overpasses, where ice tends to form.”

Both state troopers warned that drivers should be highly aware of overpasses when the winter weather conditions are similar or worse than this past weekend.

“Slow down and monitor (your) speed. Light snow causes more havoc than three or four inches of snow a lot of the time,” McFarland said.

The OSHP advises motorists to drive cautiously and remain aware of the roadway conditions.

“Plan ahead and keep on top of the weather conditions,” McFarland said.

He remarked that ODOT has done a “great job” being prepared and treating the roads this winter season. For more information on roadway conditions, visit ODOT’s real-time traffic information at www.ohgo.com. The website allows Ohio residents to stay updated and alert on roadway related weather conditions, construction areas, incidents and travel delays.