Accidents, treacherous travel in WMass

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The accumulating snow is making travel on western Massachusetts roadways difficult, and it soon will not be allowed at all.

A tractor trailer accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Blandford backed-up traffic for miles around 1:00 Friday, but state police in Westfield say that there were no injuries, and the accident should be cleared shortly.

On Interstate 91 in Holyoke, a car slid off the Exit 17 ramp and crashed into a tree.

Governor Deval Patrick has issued a statewide travel ban effective at 4:00 P.M. on all roadways , with exceptions for essential public and private-sector workers. The Governor has not yet determined when the ban will be lifted. Those caught in violation could face up to a year in jail.

In the meantime, you are urged to use extreme caution if going out; speeds on the Massachusetts Turnpike have been reduced to 40 miles per hour between Exits 1 and 6, and tandem tractor trailers have been prohibited from the roadway.