5 Chilling Facts About Driving On Michigan Roads This Winter

With the temperatures dropping as well as snow today, here are some things you need to know about Michigan drivers and the road ways.

Mlive.com reported the findings compiled by the Michigan Department of Highway Safety Planning that stated that

1. Half of January crashes occur on icy or snowy roads...

"about 12 percent of all Michigan traffic accidents in 2015 occurred on snowy or icy roads".

Some of the other findings are...

2. Even In January and February, there are more crashes when the weather is clear vs. when the weather is snowy.

"While snow makes driving more dangerous, it also appears to make drivers more cautious -- or more likely to stay home."

3. Snow-related accidents are more likely to occur on local roads vs. a highway (or as my Mother calls it "the E-way").

"Between 2011 and 2015, 59 percent of accidents on snowy or icy roads occurred on a local road compared to 14 percent on an interstate highway; 15 percent on a state highway, such as M-50 or M-43; 9 percent on a U.S. route such as U.S. 131 or U.S. 23, and 3 percent on business loops."

4. More snow-related crashes occur during the day then at night.

"Between 2011 and 2015, about 57 percent of crashes on icy or snowy roads occurred between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m."

5. Young drivers are disproportionately involved in snow-related accidents.

"Those under age 21 comprise about 7 percent of Michigan drivers, but about 18 percent of 2011-15 accidents on snowy or icy roads involved at least one driver under that age."

No matter what, take your time on the roads, be safe and take it slow. We all want to to get home to those who we love!