Snow, icy conditions cause crashes, slide-offs on NW Ind. roads - Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

Blowing snow and icy conditions on the roads have led to numerous calls of crashes and cars sliding off northwest Indiana roads, state police report Thursday morning.

Indiana State Police troopers assigned to the Lowell District have been busy all morning with these calls, a statement from state police said. There have been only minor injuries reported.

The majority of crashes earlier Thursday morning were in northern Lake County, Ind., on I-80/94 from the Illinois state Line to I-65. As the snow shifted and fell, it migrated east on I-80 between Ripley Street and Route 249 (Portage) into Porter County, the release said. LaPorte County on I-94 was also impacted for a short time period.

State police said motorists have been experiencing traffic backups on I-80 from Ripley Street west into Illinois and eastbound traffic from Illinois to I-65. Traffic on I-65 is backed up on the northbound side from 61st Avenue to the ramp to I-80 westbound.

The snow now appears to be shifting westward, with conditions deteriorating from Lake County, Ind., into Cook County. Snow-covered roads and near-whiteout conditions persist on I-94 and the Indiana Toll Road in some areas.

The problem, state police said, stems from ever-shifting snow squalls. As the roadways are cleared of snow and crashes in one area, the snow shifts to a new area.

The majority of the crashes and slide-offs appeared to have been caused by driving too fast for conditions and drivers who "forget" how to drive in the snow, police said.

To those driving through northwest Indiana, Indiana State Police have a couple simple messages -- give yourself plenty of time to get to where you're going, leave plenty of distance between vehicles, and most importantly, slow down.

State police also ask motorists not to call local, city, county or state police for road conditions. These lines need to be left open for emergency calls.