Police: Be prepared if you plan on driving

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Traffic is moving slowly on Sunday after multiple inches of snow fell over West Michigan.

Around 11 a.m., crews with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety were on the scene of a crash on I-94 near Sprinkle Road when a vehicle hit KDPS Engine Two, damaging two KDPS vehicles.

KDPS said two officers were in the fire engine. One of the officers was hurt. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The other officer and the driver were not hurt.

“Please remember winter driving safety and slow down on icy roads. Remember to give emergency workers extra space, especially during winter weather,” KDPS said in a release.

The Michigan Department of Transportation reported that a crash that happened around 12:40 a.m. on eastbound I-196 at Ottawa Avenue closed the right shoulder and on-ramp.

Arctic air, lake-effect snow moving in

If you do not have to go out onto the roads this weekend, authorities advise that you stay home.

Those who venture out are reminded to turn on their headlights, clear all snow and ice from their vehicles and use caution.

Lt. Michelle Robinson with Michigan State Police is asking drivers who have to go out on the roads to be prepared for the hazardous conditions by having an emergency kit inside their car. Drivers should make sure to have an extra blanket, cellphone charger, flashlight, food, kitty litter or sand and water.

State police will have extra troopers working during the winter storm to respond to slide-offs, but Robinson notes MSP will be relying on drivers to be cautious while on the roads.

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“Most importantly, make sure that you move over. If you have a vehicle on the side of the road or you have any kind of first responder that is attending to a vehicle, safely move into the lane that is the opposite of where they are to make sure that you allow enough space for them to be able to handle that situation,” said Robinson.

Drivers are reminded not to crowd snowplows, to maintain a safe distance and not to pass a snowplow on the right.

The Kent County Road Commission said snowplows will be prioritizing high-traffic roads like state highways and county primary roads like Byron Center Avenue. After these roads are passable, the road commission said crews will move on to local paved roads.

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Drivers can track the progress of the MDOT snowplows from the safety of their homes before hitting the road. Some plows are also equipped with cameras, allowing travelers to see the streets as they are cleared. The map is visible on the Mi Drive website.

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