Fatal Accidents in Metro Detroit Before Snowfall

Although Winter season doesn't officially start until December 21^st, metro Detroit motorists are having accidents as if snow has fallen. Light flurries were witnessed by Detroiters on Wednesday, November 17^th, but not enough to even wet the ground.

Recently, snow has not been a contributing factor to several accidents happening in metro Detroit, and surrounding areas ... matter-of-fact, weather didn't play a part in any of the car collisions. Some of which were fatal, and also involving children; to protect and respect the privacy of those involved, names have been omitted.

A tour bus, fortunately occupied by no one (other than the driver of the vehicle), was involved in an accident when it was rear-ended by another vehicle, leaving one fatality. According to records, the driver of a Chevrolet Impala was pronounced dead on the scene, after his car ran through a retainer barrier, and sped down an embankment on I-75.

Just at the start of November, a young man driving on Detroit freeway 696 lost his life after a vehicle's tire came off, flying across the freeway into oncoming traffic. The young man was in his early 20s, and never seen the flying tire as it soared, crashing through his windshield.

A 42-year old man collided with his demise when a Detroit woman driving northbound, on the southbound side of Detroit's John C. Lodge freeway. Officials reported that the woman stated she had just left Greektown casino, and alcohol may have been a contributing factor. But, by the time this article was published, no further information had been released.

Although no information has been released to the cause of these fatal accidents, officials have been working hard at trying to minimize them. Michigan governor Granholm's office released the 2009-2012 Strategic Highway Safety Plan; a plan designed to reduce traffic deaths, injuries and promoting safer drivers on Michigan's roads. Goals listed in the plan were specified to: Reduce traffic fatalities from 1,084 in 2007 to 850 in 2012; Reduce serious traffic injuries from 7,485 in 2007 to 5,900 in 2012.

According to Michigan Data in 2007 for targeted emphasis areas of traffic concerns, heading the charts are lane departures with 472 recorded fatal accidents. Tailing by only 11%, is impaired driving [alcohol/drug related] with a total of 367 fatal accidents.

To be opinionated, and as a fellow motorist on the roads and streets in Detroit, I would have 'guessed' cellular-usage topping all charts for being a major contributing factor to accidents. But as the records show, there are more pressing factors needed to be addressed to help keep our roads safe ... safer, and available for motorists in Detroit. Stay focused, and always drive for you, and the other drivers.