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Winter’s quick start to the season hasn’t given residents in the Copper Country a chance to catch up on preparations. A winter storm warning will remain in effect for much of the Upper Peninsula throughout the evening into tomorrow morning. The forecast predicts more accumulated snowfall and high wind speeds, that may limit visibility on the roadways. Michigan State police suggest if residents haven’t already, switch over to winter tires for the season. As well as take a few extra minutes to clean off the vehicle before heading out for the day. Calumet Post Trooper Derek Larson says law enforcement regularly tickets drivers for the tiny window on the windshield they scrapped before leaving.
Cleaning that snow off the top of your car and your hood and everything will keep it from getting either on your windshield or from blowing off and onto someone else’s windshield, causing visibility issues. Just because you can see out of your windows when you start doesn’t mean you’re going to be able to see out of them once that pile of snow falls from breaking or accelerating. It’s just courteous that it’s not blowing off and going onto someone else’s windshield. Another thing I like to say is to make sure your windshield is fully defrosted before you start driving just because you have a 4 x 4 spot scraped out where you normally see in front of the driver. You can be ticketed for a vision obstruction if your entire windshield isn’t clear. So try to get those windshields and those side windows scraped off or defrosted completely before you start driving. We see a lot of those crashes every year. – Trooper Derek Larson, Michigan State Police, Calumet Post
Larson adds that in the case of an accident, drivers should pull off to the side of the road as best as possible to avoid another accident during low visibility conditions.
Whether you get on a side road near there or just somewhere that you’re safe. Because first of all, we don’t want you out in traffic where another crash or a worse crash could happen. And then just call 911. That’s the easiest way. There are many, multiple different agencies covering multiple different parts of the Keweenaw, Houghton, and Baraga counties. So 911 will be able to, and the dispatchers in the Negaunee Regional Dispatch will be able to get you the closest patrol vehicle to get to your location. – Trooper Derek Larson, Michigan State Police, Calumet Post
During the winter drivers should keep several items in an emergency kit just in case of an accident. Such as a blanket or extra clothing, water and a small non-perishable snack, a small shovel, flashlight, first aid kit, and something for additional traction. Larson suggests if you plan to remove your vehicle from an embankment yourself use items like road salt, cat litter, or playground sand to gain traction under your wheels.
A lot of times when people try accelerating quickly, trying to get out of an embankment, they kind of create almost a patch of ice underneath their tires. So just that slow, easy acceleration when you’re trying to get out of an embankment, rocking back and forth, and try not to just put your gas pedal straight to the floor, and that just creates ice. – Trooper Derek Larson, Michigan State Police, Calumet Post
Four-wheel drive does not mean a four-wheel stop either. Larson says that drivers with 4×4 vehicles often have overconfidence while driving in winter conditions. And sometimes misidentify when to begin slowing down for an intersection or misjudge speed traveling down a hill. Michigan State Police suggest calling 911 in the case of an accident so law enforcement can locate and assist travelers stuck on the road. Those interested in finding more information about winter driving safety can find more details here.
