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January 25, 2000In a whiteout, drivers have few optionsExperts recommend slowing down, staying with car even if it gets hitBy KEITH MATHENYRecord-Eagle staff writer GAYLORD - A 45-car accident Sunday on I-75 south of Vanderbilt marked the second consecutive winter a pileup has occurred in that section of freeway. But state and local officials say that other than individual motorists taking extra care, not much can be done there to prevent further accidents. Icy roads, blowing snow and whiteout conditions led to the Vanderbilt pileup, conditions very similar to those that caused a 100-vehicle pileup on Dec. 31, 1998, on I-75 north of Grayling, less than 30 miles south of the Vanderbilt accident scene. The New Year's Eve pileup left one person dead and at least 41 others injured. Two minor injuries were reported from Sunday's crash. Local officials said that while they are unaware of any statistics showing the northern Michigan leg of I-75 is more treacherous than other areas of the state, common sense indicates the stretch can be particularly dangerous at times in the winter. "When you hit those areas with wide-open fields, you're going to have snow blowing across," said Leroy Hall, Otsego County emergency services coordinator. Added Sgt. Abel Cruz of the state police post in Gaylord: "You can see that it's an open area. The winds are blowing right through there with no restrictions." In addition to few wind breaks, parts of the area make up the easternmost portion of "The Snow Belt," an area of northwestern Lower Michigan that can receive dramatic amounts of lake-effect snowfall in very short periods of time. Cold temperatures such as those recently only accentuate whiteout problems, Cruz said. "Whiteouts occur a lot when it is real cold," he said. "The snow is a lighter snow, and it blows around easier." William Shreck, regional spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, said his department and local safety officials discussed different actions that could help prevent pileups in the area after the 1998 wreck, but could come up with no effective solutions or deterrents. "The main thing they were looking at was signing, but where would you put up the signs? It could happen anywhere," Shreck said. Shreck added that pileups such as the I-75 crashes are occurring with more and more frequency nationwide, and it has more to do with motorist attitude changes than weather changes, he said. "People are starting to drive regularly too fast for conditions," he said. "Especially drivers with trailers need to slow down." Hall said he and police officials can shut down I-75 when conditions warrant, "but that irritates everybody that wants to travel." He added that the whiteout conditions that helped cause the last two pileups occurred suddenly, so shutting down the freeway wasn't a realistic option. Being prepared for sudden whiteouts, winter storms and slippery roads comes with the territory, both Hall and Shreck said. "If people plan on going somewhere, they really need to check the driving conditions," Hall said. "If they hear there are lake effect snows or high winds, they need to think about not going or possibly taking another route." Added Shreck: "When you live in the Great Lakes area, the weather is an iffy proposition. You need to expect those things anywhere." What to do in a whiteoutMotorists who suddenly come upon whiteout conditions with little or no visibility should slow down but "absolutely do not stop," police say."Stay in your lane, and proceed very cautiously," said Sgt. Abel Cruz of the Michigan State Police post in Gaylord. If a car goes into the ditch or is struck by another vehicle in a whiteout situation, passengers should stay in their vehicle, Cruz stressed. "Once they get out, they've just made themselves a target for vehicles that may be out of control," he said. Winter drivers should drive with headlights on and dimmed both during the day and in the evening, Cruz added. Those planning a trip through the I-75 area can check weather and road condition updates by calling a special recording at the state police post at (517) 732-5141. The information is updated three times a day, Cruz said. |
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