Black ice caused many Springfield accidents

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Greater Springfield didn't get much snow, but the slick surfaces on the streets and highways created a nightmare for many drivers.

The Black ice was apparently at its most dangerous during the first two and a half hours past midnight.

That's when Massachusetts state police came to the aid of several drivers involved in accidents on interstate 291. Trooper Robert Church told 22News, a man was hurt during an accident on exit five. A woman had to be taken to the Baystate medical when her car crashed near Armory Street. In all there were five accidents in a short time. 22News storm team meteorologist Nick Bannin traces the source of black ice.

“You don't need a lot of snow to cause some slippery spots on the road. One thing snow provides is moisture. You have moisture with temperatures below freezing as they were last night. You have the potential for some black ice to form,” said meteorologist Nick Bannin.

So it's no wonder that the potential for driving on black ice worries so many people behind the wheel. Driver's told 22News, what you can't see, you can't effectively avoid.

“You can't see it, you don't know where it is,” said one Massachusetts commuter.

“I get very nervous, not so much for myself, but for the vehicles behind me and the way the other people are driving,” Harvey Fournier said.

The slick spots that driver's don't see until it's too late once again caused damage and injuries on a Sunday morning in Western Massachusetts.