Despite Icy Weather, Arkansas Sees Drop in Crashes

Police and social scientists aren’t sure how to explain an apparent drop in the number of accidents attributed to slick roads since winter weather began hitting Arkansas before Thanksgiving.

The state has been raked by snow or ice a dozen times since November, double the usual number of storms.

Police say it’s likely that more drivers are choosing to stay in on bad-weather days.

An Arkansas State Police spokesman said it appears motorists are finally heeding warnings to wait for safer driving conditions, while one Pennsylvania psychology professor said it’s possible that drivers are gaining confidence on slick roads. A professor in Alabama says it’s unlikely Southerners will become skilled on ice because snow removal practices are inconsistent in towns not accustomed to wintry weather.