Icy roads causing numerous crashes in Ann Arbor area
Drivers are encountering icy road conditions that are making travel difficult in the Ann Arbor area this morning, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department reports.
Central dispatch said numerous crashes have been reported mainly on area expressways. "They're littered all over," a dispatcher said, but so far no serious injuries have been reported.
One lane of easbound M-14 at Dexter-Ann Arbor Road is closed because of a crash, Central Dispatch said.
The National Weather Service said a band of light snow will continue in the area until about 9 a.m. Some heavier bursts of snow could reduce visibility. Additional accumulation of up to one-half inch is expected, the Weather Service said.
A chance of light snow showers will remain throughout the day with the high temperature reaching 24 to 28. Tuesday's forecast also calls for highs of 24 to 28 and a chance of light snow showers in the afternoon.
Comments
laurie in ypsi
Tue, Jan 5, 2010 : 1:04 p.m.
Following up regarding my comment yesterday about the lack of salt trucks on the road. This morning I saw one! In a 40 minute drive spanning 30 miles I saw 1...and it was sitting still in the median. Meanwhile cars are in the ditches at X 162 and I saw NO evidence of any salt / sand anywhere on that ramp (known to be treacherous) and trust me after seeing the car just go in the ditch backwards, I was driving slow enough to be able to notice this. This ramp was only 5 miles away from the stretch of 94 so bad this morning they had to close it. Yet they couldnt be proactive and deal with the ramps that were going to be heavily utilized because of the closing? Who are the people that make these decisions? This is ramping up to be a very hazardous winter. If the people on the roads dont take their and others safety seriously we are doomed. Everyone knows how slippery the triple decker can get in the morning after a light snow yet some goofball...unsafe driver...not at all what I was calling him/her this morning...tailed me all the way through it like we were stuck to each other. Why?!!! Where are you going that is so stinking important that you have to risk everyones safety not to mention their time and trouble if we all pile up? I hope we are only experiencing a painful learning curve this week and that the county and its drivers will wise up and possibly save lives.
Sofia Toti
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 9:01 p.m.
Could it be that the salt just wasn't working that well on the snow? Low temps reduce its functionality generally. (In New Mexico the road crews use a mixture of salt & "volcanic ash," light on the salt, but then the snow in NM is very dry, esp. in comparison to that in MI.)
tdw
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 5:53 p.m.
all the salt in the world won't do any good when people drive like morons
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 5:19 p.m.
Odd, Cindy. He was on top of it, but still didn't get the job done. The roads were unusually bad for the conditions.
crcrcr
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.
Thanks for the follow-up Cindy. I'm sure due to cuts and money issues they're doing the best they can with what they have.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.
They base level of service on how much snow falls, and cut-backs are forcing them to make dangerous decisions. Today's snow was small, but very icy. I think it took the DPW by surprise and they tried to play catch-up in vain.
tdw
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
treetowncartel another good idea you're on a roll
treetowncartel
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 12:03 p.m.
Wookie has a point, slow down for the plow drivers, public and private. They are only there to try and make your life easier, respect that. I suggest the local alw enforcement agencies start tailing the respective plow drivers and handing out tickets for this infraction. Easy revenue and it just might make people drive a little bit better.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 12:01 p.m.
saving the municipalities $$ on salt and ot, guess you and i will be spending $$ at the body shop instead. guess that's the new stimulus package. does it matter where $$ is coming from? in the long run, it comes out of our pockets...
crcrcr
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
Wookie- Guess I'm a little shocked that with a dusting of snow (in January) They wouldn't have been out before the rush hour - not with it. Reports have been calling for snow over the next few weeks. Shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, certainly not our road crews.
laurie in ypsi
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 11:03 a.m.
Good observation crcrcr...I saw only police cars, fire trucks and ambulances on my treacherous ride to work from Ypsi to Chelsea on M14, 23 and 94 this morning. Apparantly those services are cheaper than mere salt trucks..who knew?!
crcrcr
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 10:51 a.m.
Where were the salt trucks this morning? My 45 minute commute took over 2 hours with no signs of a single salt truck. Is this state so broke that we can't afford salt anymore?
Warbler
Mon, Jan 4, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
Ahem.... That last paragraph needs another look over. :-) Yes, conditions were horrible this morning on M-14 all the way out to the Wayne County line. After that the roads improved greatly, but only because there was very little snow out that way. I only spotted one bozo crusing in the left lane going faster than everyone else - Ford F350 w/4-wheel drive - a welcomed sight to see so many calm drivers on the roads this first working day of the year.