MANCELONA — First responders, tow companies and road commission crews are working longer shifts because of frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall.
Lake-effect snow — fueled by strong winds — produces dangerous white-out driving conditions for motorists and adds more strain on emergency services personnel.
So keeping the roads clear and safe for travelers must be a priority, Antrim County Road Commissioner Engineer Burt Thompson said. Yet, sometimes, they are limited in what they can do.
Salt melts snow and ice by lowering the freeze point, Thompson said. But, as the temperature drops, it takes a tremendous amount of salt to make a difference and, at some point, it doesn’t make any difference at all.
“It is not very effective below 20 degrees, and the amount of salt needed to work is too costly to use widespread,” Thompson said. “We concentrate on hills and major intersections. There is a shortage of salt now and to make sure we are able to have enough for the entire winter, we will be using it judiciously.”
Recent reports of a salt shortage may be caused more by the increased demand for salt statewide. Some businesses that provide salt treatment have placed a surcharge for the treatment on their bills.
Even with application of salt or sand mixtures, extreme cold temperatures and accumulation of snow are hampering the road commission’s efforts to clear major highways, he said.
“All this snow has kept our entire crew busy plowing roads. A couple of days of sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures will allow us to push intersections back and knock down snowbanks,” Thompson said.
With extra precaution, driving slower, being alert and reducing distractions, many crashes are preventable, authorities said.
Antrim County Sheriff Kevin Hoch said drivers need to slow down — especially in white-out conditions — and always look for a way out.
“Drivers can sometimes avoid a crash if they look for a safe direction to steer into,” Hoch said. “Always give way to police officers, fire personnel, EMS and wrecker crews by moving over.
”Keep extra gloves, hat, boots and blankets in your vehicle. Traveling with headlights on, and using emergency flashers when visibility is reduced, is recommended and appropriate.”
Hoch said drivers should allow six- to eight-car-lengths’ distance from the vehicle in front of them when traveling on ice- and snow-covered roads.
Be prepared for worst-case scenarios. “We remind travelers to keep a shovel and an extra hat and gloves in their cars,” he said.