A series of accidents involving tractor-trailers around Northwest Missouri goes back to the basics of driving: When the weather is bad, slow down.

During the first big snowfall of the season last week, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported several tractor-trailer accidents that closed a stretch of Interstate 29 near Rock Port on Tuesday, followed by an additional two tractor-trailer accidents on Wednesday.

Sgt. Sheldon Lyon, public information officer for the patrol's Troop H, which covers Northwest Missouri, said the accidents weren't caused by other drivers, but by truck drivers who needed to use more discretion.

"It's not a common occurrence, but it doesn't surprise me," he said. "There's snow and ice packed on to the roadway, and they try to drive too fast."

Even on Wednesday, when the worst of the weather seemed to pass, not enough time had gone by for drivers to let their guard down.

"It appeared to be not as slick as it was, the ice was starting to break," Mr. Lyon said. "But the roadway stayed with that coating of snow and ice."

Jeff Lisenbee, transportation coordinator for Doyle Brant Inc., a trucking company in St. Joseph, said although tractor-trailer drivers are advised to stay off the road, there are some who feel too much pressure to get their work done immediately.

"A lot of time, you will have drivers that will shut down," he said. "But you do have a few brave drivers."

Information was not available on whether the drivers involved in the accidents on I-29 were part of a company or were independent. But Mr. Lisenbee said those who do attempt to navigate the treacherous weather are exceptions to the rule.

"There is a little pressure on them to make their deliveries on time, but I don't think they would put that above safety," he said.

The accidents are an important lesson in driver safety, not only for passenger vehicle drivers to give semi operators enough room to help avoid accidents, but for the people behind the wheel of the big rigs to be aware they can fall victim to the elements just as quickly.

Mr. Lyon said as the winter continues, truck drivers should be able to navigate the weather more easily. He said he hopes the accidents are an isolated situation and not a constant problem this season.

"As winter goes on, the calls for service tend to go down, and it's just because everybody's got their winter legs," he said. "Right now, a lot of people aren't in the habit."

Andrew Gaug can be reached

at andrewgaug@npgco.com.