MADISON, Wis. — The first snowfall of the season this week caused havoc on Milwaukee- and Madison-area roadways. 

Due to the high number of spin-outs and minor fender benders Thursday, auto body shops are busy heading into the weekend.

Shawn Bierd is the owner of Advance Collision and Repair in Madison. He said the first snowfall of the season is always one of his busiest days.

“There's quite a bit of phone activity right off the bat,” Bierd said. “People are a little nervous. You know, they don't really know what to do.”

Based on phone calls with customers and conversations with insurance, he estimated that about 30 people will bring their cars in next week to be fixed at his shop, due to issues from Thursday’s first snow.

Bierd said the amount of work each car requires will vary significantly. 

“These cars are so complex now and, you know, they've got so many intricate systems as far as collision avoidance and like brakes and you name it,” Bierd said. “It’s hard to tell, you know.”

Wisconsin State Patrol responded to drivers that slid off the road Thursday, and some minor crashes. Trooper Wameng Vang reminded people to give themselves more time to get to where they are going, and to leave more space between their car and other cars, when driving in the winter.

“It's usually that first day or that first week that folks have to get used to the ice and the snow that's out there and understand that they have to drive at a speed that's prudent and reasonable for the conditions they are driving in,” Vang said.

Bierd said it’s the perfect time to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready. Keep an emergency kit in the trunk in case you get stranded in cold weather, and get in for a tune-up and tire check.

“The car is kind of a priority,” Bierd said. “It's your transportation, and it's essentially a cruise missile, and you're driving around a 4,000 pound piece of equipment, and you got to be careful how you do that, and keeping up on the maintenance and upkeep on the vehicle is very important."