HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — It’s not your imagination. Michigan roads are more dangerous that in recent years, according to figures released by Michigan Department of Transportation officials and Michigan State Police.
Over the last seven days, 29 people died on Michigan roads, a total of 876 this year — and 79 more traffic-crash deaths than at this same time last year.
Another 144 people suffered serious injuries, a statewide total of 4,484 for this year, and 446 more than this same time last year.
Public safety officials are urging drivers to slow down to save lives.
This is particularly important when drivers are moving through construction zones, a police traffic stop or a tow truck professional, where they should be slowing down as well as moving one lane away from people and vehicles on the shoulder of the road.
State officials indicated they want to amplify AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety data that suggests drivers aren’t taking potential traffic dangers seriously.
For example, 14 tow providers helping motorists were killed between January and August this year.
AAA tow providers Glenn Ewing, 32, died July 4 near Cincinnati, OH, while placing a disabled vehicle on the back of a flatbed on the side of the road. He is survived by a fiancée and two children. Three weeks later, another AAA provider, 30-year-old David Meyer was killed while helping a stranded driver in Castle Rock, CO.
“Deaths like these can be avoided if drivers slow down and move over to give these people room to work safely,” said Marshall Doney, AAA President and CEO, in a statement emailed to media. “We can’t stress enough how important it is to pay attention so you have time to change lanes when you see AAA, an emergency responder, or simply anybody along the side of the road.”
Despite Move Over laws in all 50 states, which require drivers to change lanes for the safety of those on the side of a road, a recent AAA study found that 42 percent of drivers survey drivers may not realize how risky moving traffic is for those working or stranded along highways and roads.
An average of 24 emergency responders, including tow providers, die this way every year, or one every other week.
Some drivers are unaware of “move over” laws, and 15 percent indicated they don’t know the potential consequences for violating the Move Over law..
Previous AAA Foundation research has found that drivers are up to four times as likely to crash if they are talking on a cell phone while driving and up to eight times as likely to be in a crash if texting.
“If you see something, anything, on the shoulder ahead, slow down and move over,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy and research. “It could literally save someone’s life.”
AAA offers these tips:
- Remain alert, avoid distractions and focus on the task of driving.
- Keep an eye out for situations where emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility service vehicles or disabled vehicles are stopped on the side of the road.
- When you see these situations, slow down and if possible move one lane over and away from the people and vehicles stopped at the side of the road.
- Stay Safe. Drive Smart.
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Learn more at www.Michigan.gov/ZeroDeaths.
