The Las Cruces Police Department is asking motorists to slow down and use extreme caution on area roadways as many are icy Monday morning - especially Highway 70 from I-25 and east of the city.

So far,  police have responded to a handful of crashes on or near Highway 70 bridges. Those crashes are believed to have been caused by icy roadways and driver inattention to the conditions.

Motorists are reminded that ice - or what's known as black ice - may be present on the roadways even if the roads appear to be clear.

Please slow down or, if possible, avoid driving all together until temperatures increase and conditions improve.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation has this alert posted on www.nmroads.com and is listed when you call 511 or 1-800-432-4269.