COEUR d'ALENE - Slick roads are nothing new to North Idahoans. But when the first snow falls, it's like drivers ed all over again.

Hazardous conditions from Thursday's smattering of snow left a big imprint on area police. Law enforcement agencies throughout Kootenai County responded to numerous accidents and slide-offs, particularly in the early morning hours when roads were the slickest.

"The first snow is always interesting," Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug said. "People tend to forget how to drive in the snow and it takes a few days before drivers get the hang of it."

Haug added that his department responded to three non-injury accidents Thursday morning.

Other law enforcement agencies, including Idaho State Police, were hit harder by the winter road conditions. According to Teresa Baker, a spokesperson for the agency, troopers responded to 21 crashes or slide-offs, most of them in the morning.

"We hope that folks will slow down and increase their following distance to avoid crashes if the roads get icy again," Baker said.

Baker's sentiment was echoed by Coeur d'Alene Police Department Sgt. Christie Wood, who urged drivers to be particularly aware during the busy commute hours before and after work.

"Citizens are asked to drive cautiously, leave enough room for the vehicle in front of them in case they have to stop in a hurry, and slow their vehicle prior to intersections," Wood said.

Between midnight and 5 p.m. on Thursday, the Coeur d'Alene Police Department responded to nine accidents.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Lt. Stu Miller told The Press that, as of 4 p.m., the office responded to eight wrecks and four slide-offs. He stressed the importance of motorists making sure they have supplies in their vehicles in the event they get stuck.

He added that traction devices such as chains or a bag of sand or cat litter, are crucial as well. With the upcoming forecast of warm weather in the day and cold temperatures at night, he said motorists should remain cautious.

"Just because it's not snowing out doesn't mean the roads aren't going to be slick," Miller said.

No fatalities or serious injuries were reported from Thursday's wrecks.