When it comes to winter travel, some roads in the Erie area have long been considered dangerous. The stretch of I-90 from North east to the State Line is one of those areas, with the most recent major crash in that area on Saturday.

Saturday's crash sent four people to the hospital and shut down that stretch of the interstate for more than half a day. Roads were slippery after the area saw freezing rain and snow, which resulted in the 15 tractor trailer pile-up.

State police say there are a few factors why that section of I-90 and other areas of Pennsylvania interstates seem to be more accident-prone than others. One factor is there is more traffic on the interstates, which can mean less room to stop, more challenges with switching lanes and other obstacles presented by other drivers.

Another factor is there are more tractor trailers on the interstates and those vehicles cannot stop as fast as smaller vehicles, especially if visibility is reduced or there is stopped traffic ahead.

The most important factor, state police say, is inclement weather. Areas like the stretch of I-90 from North East to the State Line do not have protection from the elements from buildings, tall hills or thick trees.

The lack of protection allows wind gusts to push vehicles, blow snow onto the roads or into the air and decrease visibility, or refreeze melted ice. "When that snow drifts, it's going to go on the roadways where it is open and again when the tractor trailers are driving and passing they're going to kick up that dust too," Trooper Cindy Schick told Erie News Now.

Trooper Schick said Saturday's accident happened before reduced speeds were announced, which is why it's important all drivers use their best judgment and slow down when there's inclement weather whether there are reduced speeds or not. "Just so much traffic on those interstates and when add snow to it with higher increased speeds, that can be bad," she said.