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Safety Tips

Winter Safety Tips

Give' Em Some Space

While driving during snow removal operations, stay back from snowplows and don't pass on the right. The area surrounding a snowplow truck performing winter maintenance (a/k/a snow removal) and driving about 35 MPH, can produce plumes of snow as high as 10' and 25' wide.

Visibility can be severely affected for both you and our driver.

Section 257.603 of the Michigan Vehicle Code provides exemptions to a snowplows who ares performing winter maintenance, similar to those provided to emergency vehicles, to enter an intersection without stopping.

Please give out drivers the same courtesies that you would to other emergency vehicles.

Pushing Snow Across the Road

In accordance with the Michigan Vehicle Code section 257.677a, a person shall not remove or cause snow to be removed, snow, ice or slush onto or across a roadway in a manner which obstructs the safety vision of the driver of a motor vehicle.

A person cannot deposit or cause to be deposited, snow, ice or slush on any roadway or highway.

Clearing Your Driveway

The Road Commission recommends residents keep the shoulder in front of their driveway clear and to also clear snow for a short distance from the driveway in the direction of the approaching traffic.

Snow coming off the plow will drop into the first open area it finds. If the area near your driveway has not been cleared, the snow will end up in your driveway. The Road Commission will not clear out driveways from snow coming off a snowplow truck.

Clearing Near Your Mailbox

The same is true of the area surrounding your mailbox. Keeping the area clear will reduce your chances of mailbox damage and help assure the mail carrier can drive to your mailbox.

Garbage Cans

Garbage can should be kept back at least 8' from the edge of the road and in your driveway to avoid being hit by snow. The Road Commission will not pick up trash from garbage cans that are impacted by the snow.

Pedestrian and Non-motorized Traffic

Summer time brings folks of all ages out of their homes and out to enjoy the season's warm temperatures and sunshine.  When sharing the road as a pedestrian, be sure to walk "facing" traffic.  This allows you to see oncoming cars and take appropriate action.

If you are biking, travel with traffic.  Remember, you, too, must adhere to traffic control devices and be sure to pedal defensively.  Obey stop signs, signal movements and yield to pedestrians.  Most important, watch out for the other guy. 

School bus safety

With the return of school comes the return of school buses on the roads. Drivers should take extra precaution and slow down while traveling in and around school zones, school crossings and school buses.

When red lights on a bus are flashing and the arm on the side of the bus is out, drivers must stop, according to Michigan Law. This law will be strictly enforced by state and local police.

When the yellow lights are flashing on a school bus, that means that the bus is getting ready for a stop. Drivers should slow down, drive with caution, and not attempt to pass.

All traffic in every lane must stop for school buses if the roadway is not divided. Drivers should also make sure there is sufficient distance between vehicles and the stopped bus.

While drivers must take steps to ensure the safety of students on school buses, parents can take steps as well. Parents should remind children frequently that if the child cannot see the bus driver's eyes, then the bus driver probably cannot see the child.