BILLINGS - Frigid temperatures have resulted in icy driving conditions over the past several weeks.

Billings road crews say they only clear primary and secondary streets and are not responsible for clearing ice from side streets. While they do sand some side street intersections for safety reasons, city officials say it all comes down to money.

"I know people don't like to hear that message, but it's a function of money, of how many people and how many resources you want to throw at that. We've got a relatively small budget here in the street traffic division. We do take care of all the major streets but plow on residential roadways does not happen," said City of Billings Bill Kemp. Clearing sidewalks is usually an individual's responsibility, but crews were out at 4 a.m. Monday morning cleaning off school area sidewalks before students were back in classrooms.

Sprained ankles, bone fractures, severe concussions, and banged-up backs, those are just some of the injuries emergency rooms across Billings have been dealing with this past month.

ER doctors say they have seen a lot of injuries due to people slipping on ice. It happens to all ages, but the brittle bones of the elderly break much easier. Doctor Barbara Curry, Billings Clinic Emergency Department, said most people slip after the weather gets nice again. "And it's usually when they get out of the car, or out of the house, it's in the parking lot or the sidewalk, and they didn't realize it was icy and they go down."

Doctor Curry said wear snow boots or shoes with good traction to and from your car when it is icy out. And if you ever fall, hit your head and lose consciousness, or have a headache afterwards, it is recommended you see a doctor.