At least 9 dead in Detroit area since Friday, all traffic related.

S

scooter123

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2009
Messages
6,956
Reaction score
4,375
Location
Metro Detroit, Michigan
I don't know what's going around, maybe a virus that makes you stupid, but we seem to have had a recent run of extremely severe traffic accidents. Started early Friday with a head on collision, probably someone in a hurry to get to work making an illegal pass on a 2 lane road. Today's morning report had another head on on the Lodge Freeway and from the wreckage it was a high speed head on, 5 killed. Also have a DPD officer in the hospital when he was hit by a hit and run driver, while trying to protect a woman down in the street who had been hit by another hit and run driver. Then there was a chain reaction crash on I-75 that killed 2 college young kids on the way to an event, which IMO was speed related, a rollover last night on I-94, a motorcyclist west of the city, and I think one more that I don't remember. Basically it's been a really bad weekend to be driving.

Folks, take some advice from an old fart, your life isn't worth saving 5 minutes on a short drive. Slow it down and stay alert, better to be late than not get there at all. As for drinking and driving, don't do it PERIOD, the life you save may be your own. Either call a cab or just walk.
 
Register to hide this ad
Well heck, they can't all be gun-related - even in Detroit! (Just KIDDING!!!)
scooter123 said:
...another head on on the Lodge Freeway and from the wreckage it was a high speed head on, 5 killed.
Click to expand...
Wow. I used to drive the Lodge 30 years ago*; I though it was all divided highway... :confused:

*former resident of Livonia, Farmington, Redford, Redford Twp, Warren & Shelby Twp. :D
 
I retired at 63 about a year ago. My job involved driving on roads in and around Chicago for the last 40 years. I don't think people drive any crazier that 40 years ago, but there's sure a heck of a lot X 5 more of them. I used to drive 100-300 miles a day. My truck has free satellite whatchamacallit till the 1st of the month. I got a report that says I'm averaging 4 miles a day now. I dread it.
 
Up until recently my wife and I visited Florida and stayed with friends in the Orlando area. Our last trip required a drive from Orlando to Tampa on I 4. 80+ MPH, bumper to bumper, improper passing, no signals, etc. Haven't been back since. At our age there are some roads we won't travel. And the saddest part of all this is that it's totally unnecessary. It seems like the automobile brings out the latent idiot in many people.
 
Roscoguy, the Lodge still is divided, it was a wrong way driver at 4:30 AM. From the wreckage pics on the news I'd suspect that he was traveling at least 80 mph.

IMO one failing of both the media and Driver Training today is that none of them tell people the safest action to take when facing a head on collision they can seen coming. That is to come to a complete and total stop as far away from the traffic lanes as possible. Perhaps if people were told this a family of 5 would have sat down for breakfast this morning.
 
As an expert in accident investigation and reconstruction, let me ask you a few questions.

1. What has the weather been like? Have you been a long time without rain and then getting rain in the last few days?

2. Is there any particular event going on beginning Friday that would attract a lot of people there for the weekend?

3. What construction is going on in the area of the accidents?

4. Has there been any change in speed limits on the roadways?


Many areas across the nation has been experiencing a drought. Now they are getting rain and traffic accidents abound once drivers are accustomed to driving on dry streets for months. I travelled some 300 miles yesterday to look at two multi fatal crashes that was weather related.

Both Louisiana and Texas changed their speed limits on some interstates recently. When it was 70mph, people drove 80-85mph. Now that is 75mph, people are hitting 90 in places and there are too many people driving on inferior tires, which coupled with high speed and hot pavement, the tires will not take it. A blow out at those speeds will send a car all over the roadway.

Last week I looked at two crashes in northern TX that was due to road construction. People are not used to it and the traffic pattern change makes them have accidents.
 
In my area it's people running thier cars through businesses. Usually a crowded restaraunt. Over 20 and counting!!!
 
oldman45 said:
As an expert in accident investigation and reconstruction, let me ask you a few questions.

1. What has the weather been like? Have you been a long time without rain and then getting rain in the last few days?

2. Is there any particular event going on beginning Friday that would attract a lot of people there for the weekend?

3. What construction is going on in the area of the accidents?

4. Has there been any change in speed limits on the roadways?
Click to expand...

1. Plenty of rain on and off around metro Detroit this year. I know what you're getting at- this isn't a case of fresh rain on oil-slicked roads.

2. Always something going on in Detroit on weekends.

3. Always construction going on around Detroit year 'round.

4. No speed limit changes- in the city proper, no one pays any attention to speed limits anyway.

Glad I spent this weekend at home.
 
Evil cars need to be outlawed. This is proof that citizens can not be trusted with these things. All auto racing should be banned. Car dealerships must be shut down, now. Internet sites related to cars should be shut down and its owners arrested for promoting death. Only government officials should have cars in order to better protect the citizens. Once cars are regulated, ALL crime and death will cease.

As crazy as these statements are, these would be the headlines if these were all gun related deaths. WOW, and driving a car isn't even covered in the Consitution.
 
moosedog said:
I'll compare Michigan drivers to any other state's drivers.

We have some of the worst.
Click to expand...

I can certainly second that. I moved here from Ohio in 1989 and the difference was night and day. In Ohio at that time going more than 6 over the limit meant a certainty you'd be stopped for speed, in Michigan only going 6 over the limit placed you at risk of getting run over. It took me a fair number of years to adapt to the Michigan Road Rapists.

As noted previously this weekends fatalities are not related to either weather or construction, it's just due to plain old stupidity.
 
Anybody driven in Atlanta lately. You know it's bad when there are signs in peoples yards that say "Slow down Atlanta." I-285 is the loop around Atlanta and there is a reason truckers call it "The Watermelon 500." The speed limit is 55 and I actually heard a Georgia State Patrol officer say he usually didn't give anyone a ticket on 285 unless they were doing over 80 because everyone was doing at least 70. If you're a LEO, it's what we used to call in the Navy, a "target rich environment."

CW
 
Bicky Robby said:
Evil cars need to be outlawed. This is proof that citizens can not be trusted with these things. All auto racing should be banned. Car dealerships must be shut down, now. Internet sites related to cars should be shut down and its owners arrested for promoting death. Only government officials should have cars in order to better protect the citizens. Once cars are regulated, ALL crime and death will cease.

As crazy as these statements are, these would be the headlines if these were all gun related deaths. WOW, and driving a car isn't even covered in the Consitution.
Click to expand...

I just had to chime in on your statement. YOUR RIGHT ON. Thanks.:)
 
The final toll for the weekend in the Metro Detroit area...13 dead in car crashes. Local LE agencies blame speeding. I agree; it's out of control around here and I am as guilty of it as anyone. Tomorrow, I am going to drop my speed by 5 MPH, at least. I'm sure I'll get there just as fast and a whole lot safer.
 
oldman45 said:
Last week I looked at two crashes in northern TX that was due to road construction. People are not used to it and the traffic pattern change makes them have accidents.
Click to expand...

I must respectfully disagree with that assertion. IMHO it is the lack of attention paid while driving that causes the accidents as the drivers fail to notice that there is something different. It is remarkable what you can see and anticipate when actually paying attention.

The only way construction can cause accidents is when the warning signs, detour signs and the coning off of lanes are inadequate/stupid. The masters of the art of doing construction warnings and signage incorrectly all work here in Las Vegas.
 
moosedog said:
I'll compare Michigan drivers to any other state's drivers.

We have some of the worst.
Click to expand...
When I used to do a fair amount of out-of-state driving, one thing always reminded me that I was back home: Michigan drivers were definitely the rudest, Ohio was probably second. Ever since they took down the 'Keep Right Except To Pass' & 'Slower Traffic Keep Right' signs, the left lane is just for "doin' my own thing" at whatever speed you please. :rolleyes:
Seneca said:
Tomorrow, I am going to drop my speed by 5 MPH, at least.
Click to expand...
Don't try that on I-696! (aka Michigan's Autobahn) :eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top