As the winter storm sets in road conditions are getting steadily worse causing drivers to slide into ditches. The snow build up is most noticeable on the residential streets. Plows are just now starting to make their way through neighborhoods after the City of Rockford declared a snow emergency at 9pm.

Even though the snow may be piled highest just outside your home, being on nearly any road right now is dangerous. Reports of accidents due to the weather are coming in from all over the stateline area.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department has received more than 20 calls about cars skidding into ditches. When asked what other incidents they've had, they simply said that cars everywhere are "sliding all over".

To our north in Rock County, highway 26 is getting ready to open after being closed for about 3 hours. There have been 35 weather related accidents, but only one has resulted in someone getting hurt.

Stephenson County has not has not had any major accidents, but they have had more than ten cars in ditches, including two semis.

A similar situation in Ogle County where more than 30 cars have found there way into a ditch, but no major accidents.

Rockford's manager of street operations gave some sound advice in regards to driving in this storm, "If you don't have to travel, don't. If you have to be somewhere such as work, or dropping your kids off with school, please allow enough extra time to get there."

If you're taking his advice and staying home make sure if you've parked in the street that you are on the “even address” side until 8 in the morning. At that time you will need to move your car to the odd side so trucks can clear the streets -- and so you can avoid a ticket.