Cheboygan County Sheriff Department asks drivers to slow down during winter weather storms

Karly Graham, The Petoskey News-Review
·2 min read
An 18-year-old girl driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer was in a rollover accident in Hebron Township on Nov. 26, 2023. The driver experienced minor injuries.
An 18-year-old girl driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer was in a rollover accident in Hebron Township on Nov. 26, 2023. The driver experienced minor injuries.

CHEBOYGAN — While the start of winter storms have made their way to northern Michigan, the Cheboygan County Sheriff Tim Cook is reminding drivers to drive slowly this winter season.

Throughout Thanksgiving weekend, the Cheboygan County Sheriff Department responded to eight accidents that were a result of drivers traveling too fast for the road conditions, according to a press release sent from the department Monday, Nov. 27.

A 2003 Ford Expedition rolled over in Mentor Township Nov. 26, 2023. A 64-year-old man was driving and lost control of the vehicle while driving northbound on I-75.
A 2003 Ford Expedition rolled over in Mentor Township Nov. 26, 2023. A 64-year-old man was driving and lost control of the vehicle while driving northbound on I-75.

Two accidents were single-vehicle rollovers and the others were "slide offs," where drivers lose control of their vehicles and slide off the roadway. Only one crash resulted in injuries.

“It seems every year as the first snow falls it takes time for drivers to get acclimated so we ask everyone to slow down and allow more time to get to your destination,” Cook said in the release.

In a release sent on Wednesday, Nov. 22, Cook reminded people to drive slowly and be mindful of road conditions when traveling. He said the department responded to 13 crashes on Tuesday, Nov. 21 as a result of slippery road conditions, including two rollovers.

More: Cheboygan Sheriff urges drivers to slow down, be careful as winter weather returns

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our local coverage

Around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, a 2006 Dodge pickup slid sideways down the east ditch onto its side while driving southbound U.S.-27 after trying to pass another vehicle. There was black ice on the road. No injuries were reported.
Around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, a 2006 Dodge pickup slid sideways down the east ditch onto its side while driving southbound U.S.-27 after trying to pass another vehicle. There was black ice on the road. No injuries were reported.

Cook also encouraged people to keep their cars in good condition ahead of winter, ensure cars have the right amount of anti-freeze, that batteries and tires are in good condition, and a packed travel bag in case of emergency.

“During winter conditions there may be times you are involved in a situation that may take up to several hours to get assistance, so it's a good idea to make sure you always have a full tank of gas and items to assist you in case you have to remain in your vehicle," Cook wrote in Wednesday's release.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: 8 accidents later, Cheboygan County sheriff reminds drivers to slow down