From February 26-March 5, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 865 calls for service/events. The higher call volumes occurred in the following areas: Traffic Stops-169, Suspicious Subject/Situation/Vehicle-54, Traffic Violations-40, Check Well Beings-37, Assist Citizen/Motorist Assists-35, Property Damage Crashes-26, Traffic Hazards-25, Shoplifting Complaints-22, Vacation Checks-22, Car in the Ditch-20, Alarms-17, Car/Deer Accidents-15, Personal Injury Crashes-14, Larcenies-14, Civil Complaints-13, and Suicide Threats or Attempts-10.
Spring Driving Safety Tips - The icy-slick roads of winter are melting, but now isn’t the time to let your guard down on the road, springtime brings its own driving hazards. Keep your eyes open and your hands on the wheel to handle these springtime driving hazards:
Watch for ice - While spring feels warm and wonderful, it’s not a guarantee that all of the ice is gone. Drive as if the roads are icy: maintain a safe distance, approach intersections cautiously and drive slowly when the roads appear wet.
Look for leftover sand and salt - Once the snow is gone, sand and salt often remain, making traction difficult. Take care at intersections and give yourself a little extra braking time.
Master driving in rain - Safe driving in a rainstorm means turning your headlights on, driving slowly and giving other vehicles more space. Even just a little rain combined with oil on the road can create slippery conditions.
Steer clear of hail - Driving in a hailstorm is dangerous because you’re not only managing rain and wet roads, now ice is coming at you. To avoid hail damage, it’s best not to drive. If you’re already on the road, pull over and seek shelter to wait out the hail.
Avoid flooded roads - Frozen ground, melting snow and heavy rains are just the right recipe for flooding. If you’re approaching a flooded road, turn around and find a safe route. Standing water is particularly dangerous because there can be strong undercurrents and it’s difficult to tell if you’re looking at just a puddle or deeper water.
Prepare for potholes - Pair salt, sand and heavy snow plows with alternating cold and warm weather and you’ve got the perfect conditions for potholes. The best way to handle potholes is to avoid them. But that’s not always an option. If you see a pothole ahead and can’t avoid it, the safest approach is to slow down and, right before you drive over the pothole, release your brakes.
Stay off shoulders - Winter erosion followed by spring rains and flooding can soften gravel shoulders and wash away the ground underneath. Your best bet is to avoid driving and parking on gravel shoulders.
Look for pedestrians and bikers - After a long winter, everyone is ready to enjoy the weather. This means increased motorcycles, bicycles and foot traffic on roads and shoulders. Keep your eyes open for others and be particularly cautious in areas with children.
Watch for four-legged travelers - If you see an animal on or near the road, slow down and prepare to stop. If it’s already in the road, resist the urge to swerve. It’s safest to brake in a straight line. Remember, animals are more active at dusk.
Yours in Public Safety,
Sheriff Tom Reich