I-94 SW MI 50+ Pileup

Oregon had two of them last week up by Albany and Salem on 5 in the big snow they got over there. I know. I was stuck. Lol. But there have been a lot of these this year. Too many in fact.

 

e logs and people not wanting to stop and lose time.......you think

 

I'm sorry but look at those pictures....there's no way damage should have been that bad unless people were going way to fast for the conditions and following way too close. Every week there's some major wreck with tons of big trucks involved. Drivers just need to slow the f down and increase following distance. But they don't. It's like they think it's 80 degrees and sunny out. They tailgate and keep hammered down like they are oblivious to the conditions. Then I read on FB and other forums where it's the fault of the state for not taking care of the roads etc... I call BS on that. We should have the common sense to drive in bad conditions and drive sensibly. But too many of these professional drivers think driving a big truck is no different than driving a four wheeler. See it all the time. Just the other day going through Ohio, snowing, blowing and roads were slick....I'm running 30-35 and thought at times I maybe should slow down. But idiots passing me like there is nothing wrong. Riding right on the bumper of vehicles in front of them. Expect stupid and dangerous behavior from four wheelers. Ticks me off though seeing it from "professional" drivers. Big pile ups and wrecks like this should not ever happen if people would use their dam head for something besides a hat rack.

 

The most significant stat is; "the vast majority don't crash there". 2nd, probably, is; "those who do crash travel that stretch as a matter of routine, and have for years".

 

Funny I used to run New Buffalo to Detroit a lot and I never encountered this. I guess the last two winters were quite mild in terms of snow and ice. That's great, because those will be the only two winters I will ever spend up north LOL

 

I've lived off I-94 all my life - not sure why the state is to blame for everyone's misshaps???? This storm last night was predicted. Sorry our snowplows can't control the snowfall rate of 3" per hour, the winds in excess of 20mph, white-out conditions, tailgating, speeding, and distracted driving, but maybe if you call somebody in congress, they'll get to work on that!
MI has snow every year. Lake MI produces lake effect weather conditions in MI, IN, IL every year. This year is no different, except that our economy is slightly better resulting in more traffic, and we have had some of the largest snowfall totals in over 20 years combined with the deepest frost line in recent history combined with over 79% of Lake MI being frozen over. Maybe, just maybe, it is the issue of the public not using the brain that was given them to use the resources available to us and not allow themselves to become a victim of Lake Michigan!

 

Problem with Iowa is they get the harsh plains storms, it's a very wide open state, and most of the time if it's dry weather they will spray the road with de-icer before a storm. Unfortunately when the temps drop below zero, especially with the high winds out there, it's even more difficult to keep the roads clear of ice and drifting snow. Also they get the super-trucker/cdl-mill bozos that go flying through there at top speed like they are on dry roads, and usually when these idiots wreck they take a few people with them. Learn to slow down and shut down when it's too dangerous, that extra money you think you are going to make by going faster won't make a difference if you get into a wreck and injure or kill someone. Maybe if the "new-breed" and "super-trucker" drivers out here would get some sense we wouldn't be having the DOT up our ###### as much out here.

 

If you have never plowed snow, trying to clear roadways, then your ignorant comments about not getting it done fast enough are just that....plain ignorant. When I worked for the state, that was one of the most frustrating jobs. Either being in a truck or in a blade....the most frustrating thing is dealing with idiot drivers. The snow and ice just doesn't come flying off the road when a plow or blade come along. It doesn't run and hide. That crap wants to be there and if it's windy, then that makes it even worse. So anyone who wants to say the wrecks and stupid driving are the states fault for not clearing the roads, you are lacking in intelligence. The speed limit changes with the road conditions. That means slow the F down when it's snowing or icy out. Every where I've been in this harsh winter plows have been out. Doing the best they can. If it's real windy, putting material down a lot of the time is a waste. Pretreating the roads is good, but won't do much help until the majority is knocked off and the sun comes out. It's mother nature, people. You ain't gonna whip her butt....you just gotta roll with her punches.