Reported winter car accidents remain in typical range for area police agencies
Though the snowbound roads of Central Michigan may seem nigh post-apocalyptic, the number of reported car accidents have not been extraordinary for local police agencies.
Central Michigan University Police reported 16 car accidents from Dec. 1, 2010 to Jan. 17, 2011. CMU Police Lt. Cameron Wassman said the numbers are typical compared to last years’ reports.
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Wassman said he thinks the university does a good job of keeping its roads plowed and that workers are usually out right after the snowfall.
He said drivers should keep a safe distance between the car in front and their own. He said many rear-ending accidents occur when the weather grows poor.
“Be extra alert to your surroundings,” he said.
County and city accidents
Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said the county reported 180 car accidents from the beginning of December to Jan. 18, which are in line with what his department has reported in the past.
Mioduszewski said the county always reports between 170 and 190 car accidents in this time frame.
“They are always kind of in that ballpark,” he said. “These numbers are nothing outrageous or out of the line.”
He said the most important thing for drivers to remember is reducing their speed when on a wet road.
“When the roads are slippery, you can’t drive like you did during the summer,” said Mioduszewski. “Drivers have to get into the winter mindset.”
The sheriff also cautioned drivers to be extra careful when stopping at intersections and signs if the weather is bad. He said drivers should pump their breaks when trying to stop and pull off of the road if they experience fatigue.
The city of Mount Pleasant reported 75 traffic crashes during from Dec.1 to Jan. 17.
Jeff Browne, Mount Pleasant Police Department public information officer, said 10 of these were injury accidents.
“Please slow down and allow extra time to travel,” he said. “Make sure to clean off your car so you can see.”
