Driving in Madison

After a trip out to Mount Horeb before the sunrise, I drove back in to the city at a snail's pace.

Hitting 151 and Midvale even to University was a nightmare. Something about people forgetting how to drive in the snow...

Sgt. Gary Bauer of the Wisconsin State Patrol said major highways were getting better as of 10:30 a.m., but motorists should be careful because conditions can change quickly with the temperature still in the single digits.

Icy walks are causing big problems for pedestrians, said Lori Wirth, public information officer for the Madison Fire Department.

Wirth said emergency crews were sent out on a dozen calls from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday to help people who had fallen on slick sidewalks.

The injuries weren't life-threatening, but several people had broken arms or legs or back injuries.

"That's a lot of calls," Wirth said. "We had them all over, east side, west side, in mall shopping areas, wherever people were.

"And considering all the other people who probably fell and didn't call, we want to remind people to be extra-special careful."

While roads in southern Wisconsin were improving, reports of accidents and roll-offs were still coming in to the 911 dispatch center as of 10:30 a.m.

Where are all the plows?