Hey, the roads still are slick out there and accidents plentiful

Slow down.

That's the basic message issued by Illinois State Police in a reaction to the number of cold weather accidents that have popped up on major roadways Thursday morning.

But, police officials said, most accidents seemed to be property damage only with very minor injuries.

Police and rescue officials were on the scene of a multi-car crash on I-355 near Roosevelt Road in Lombard early Thursday.

Master Sgt. Paul Carlos of the Illinois State Police said more than 10 cars were involved in that accident that took place about 8 a.m.

There were no reports of injuries, however, though an ambulance from the Lombard Fire Department was sent to the scene as a precaution.

Carlos said slick road conditions seem to be the cause, but isn't sure what triggered the crash.

He said one outside lane on southbound I-355 was shut down for about 30 minutes while the accident was pulled to the side.

Police officials were also on the scene of a multi-car accident on the Edens spur off the Tri-State near the Pfingsten Toll Plaza.

The accident involved seven cars and one truck, and blocked the right inbound lane.

Illinois State Police spokesman Jim Jenkner said slick conditions played a factor, as cars driving too fast for conditions hit an icy patch and slid into other vehicles.

He said no injuries were reported but that an ambulance was called to the scene as a precaution.

Jenkner said no one was injured in another accident, this time in two inbound left lanes of I-90 near the Des Plaines Oasis.

Jenkner said two cars were involved in the accident, and that an SUV had rolled over.

An Des Plaines ambulance was called to the scene, but the person was treated and released.

The two left lanes of the eastbound Jane Addams Tollway were shut down while the accident is tended to, officials said.

Jenkner said the cause of most of these crashes are people who are following too close to the people in front of them, or are distracted behind the wheel and try to stop to quick.

"Motorists are following too closely and are not giving themselves adequate time or space to react to what's happening in icy conditions," he said. "When its negative 40 degrees outside, the roads are going to be slick. So, people should put down the distractions and pay close attention to their speed and the distance between themselves and the car in front of them."

Accidents were also reported in Aurora, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Oswego, Skokie to name a few.

Officials said people should slow down to avoid black ice on the roadways.

Check back to dailyherald.com later for additional details as they develop.