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Motorists Warned of Holiday Road Hazards by AAA Michigan

3 July 1997

Motorists Warned of Holiday Road Hazards by AAA Michigan

    DEARBORN, Mich., July 1 -- Caution is the watchword this
holiday weekend as an estimated two million motorists take to state roads,
which could pose problems, advises AAA Michigan.
    "We are on record as saying that deteriorating road conditions are
affecting traffic safety," said Frank P. Cardimen Jr., president of the
Traffic Improvement Association of Oakland County.  "We need to have a
solution."
    Retiree and seasoned traveler David Rusch of Sparta, near Grand Rapids,
agrees.  "Drivers are swerving all over the road to avoid potholes and they
are not immediately aware of other traffic problems," Rusch told the AAA
Michigan Road Condition Hotline this week.  "It's a potentially lethal
situation."
    Rusch said his motorcycling hobby has been put on hold because he fears
losing control by plunging into Kent County potholes.  And when his RV pulls
away from the driveway, the destination will be somewhere other than Michigan.
"My wife and I have traveled most of the nation's roads and I tell you,
Michigan's are the worst," said Rusch.
    Virginia Ramsbottom, of Marcellus in Cass County, reports her car
sustained a cracked windshield from flying stones.  She said that in addition
to a poor patch job on M-40 that oozes tar, motorists swerve from lane to lane
to avoid bumps, patches and pits.
    Nearly 1,575 motorists have called since the AAA Michigan Road Condition
report started on March 11.  Here's a sampling of this week's calls.
    * I-96 between M-59 and Fowlerville, Howell, Livingston County, "potholes,
      deteriorating pavement."
    * US-131, north and south of Grand Rapids, Kent County, "holes, large
      openings where the patch has come out."
    * M-81, Reese to Cass City, Caro, Tuscola County, "many potholes, poor
      repairs, chipped windshield."
    * M-40 between Shannon and Gooding Roads, Marcellus, Cass County,
      "potholes, botched repair job, cracks in the windshield."
    * Eureka Between Fort and Allen, Southgate, Wayne County, "like driving
      over railroad tracks, broken tie rod."
    * I-75, between Bay City and US-23, Bay and Arenac Counties, "bumps in the
      road."
    * North Cedar, between Adams and Maple, Lansing, Ingham County, "large dip
      in the road."
    * Fort, east of Springwells, Detroit, Wayne County, "huge pothole, looks
      like a manhole."
    * Hogback and Huron River Dr., Pittsfield Township, Washtenaw County,
      "pothole after pothole."
    * Southbound Southfield Expressway, near Nine Mile, Southfield, Oakland
      County, "huge pothole in right lane, others in the speed lane."

    When experiencing bad roads, motorists are advised to adjust their driving
for their own safety and for those around them.  AAA Michigan offers these
tips:
    * Slow down, since braking and steering are more difficult on bumpy roads.
    * Increase your following distance, since the smooth flow of traffic is
      more frequently interrupted on rough roads.
    * If avoiding a pothole, use caution -- dodging potholes can cause head-on
      and side-swipe crashes.

    AAA also warns to be watchful for road workers, drive posted speeds, and
expect the unexpected.  Remember, traffic fines are doubled in construction
zones.
    To report bad road conditions in your area, contact the AAA Michigan Road
Condition Hotline at 800-411-4823.  AAA Michigan is logging reports and
monitoring repair progress.

SOURCE  AAA Michigan