Numerous drivers reported across the region to have slid off the roads

FARGO (KVRR) — Many drivers across the region have been sliding off the roads and into the ditches.

Both Minnesota and North Dakota officials have reported numerous crashes since the snow started falling.

Minnesota State Patrol reports 79 vehicles went off the road, along with 5 jackknifed semis.

North Dakota Highway Patrol reports 41 crashes in the state.

Many of those crashes took place due to drivers going too fast for the conditions.

“What we see a lot of times is a high-profile vehicle might lose traction and a semi jackknifes. And it then becomes a traffic hazard, with all other traffic approaching needs to swerve around it. And if you’re driving too fast for the conditions, you simply don’t have the traction to make that evasive maneuver properly,” said Sgt. Adam Malafa, North Dakota Highway Patrol.

As the ice and snow conditions continue, he recommends drivers slow down and increase their following distance.