'A complete and utter challenge': Busy week for tow truck drivers as snow turns to ice | News

We're done with snow for a while, but we're still dealing with the harsh road conditions left from last week's winter storm.

MADISON (WKOW) -- We're done with snow for a while, but we're still dealing with the harsh road conditions left from last week's winter storm.

"It's been very testing," owner and operator of Liberty Towing Service, Rod Timmerman, said. "It's been busy. Nonstop phones ringing, nonstop trucks running."

Days of heavy snowfall have made for rough conditions on the road as frigid temperatures have turned the snow to ice. Timmerman says even their own gear has fallen victim to the bitter cold. 

"Some of our own stuff [was] gelling up along with customers," Timmerman said. "We're very backlogged trying to get to people as much as we can. Anybody that's stranded, we're trying to get to them faster than anybody that's not stranded due to the cold conditions. But it's been a complete and utter challenge."

Liberty's phones have been ringing since the start of the snowstorm last week.

"That caused a lot of chaos getting to people," Timmerman said. "A lot of county roads, people going into ditches. Being able to get out trucks to them has been very challenging." 

Timmerman says for as many cars as they've seen slide off the roads or stuck in snow piles, they've also seen people in need of a jump start. 

"This is where batteries are tested," Timmerman said. "In the sub-zero conditions, people with weak batteries that haven't been service [or replaced is where] you're finding a lot of no-starts." 

No matter the reason for the call, Timmerman says the patterns are the same as they always are in the winter. So, he says it's important to reemphasize safe winter driving. 

"Greater distances between vehicles, cautiously driving and obviously our most important thing is slow down and move over," Timmerman said. 

No matter if it's a tow truck, fire truck or police car, slowing down and moving over is one of the most important steps to avoiding unnecessary accidents. 

"We've had our trucks hit several times, already twice this year" Timmerman said. "Think of if it were yourself out there. We want to get home too." 

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