As driving conditions deteriorate, accidents increase

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January 7, 2009

Frank Denzler The Rushville Republican Wed Jan 07, 2009, 08:20 AM EST

The third freezing rain and ice storm in as many weeks struck the area early Tuesday morning.

Starting around 6 a.m. the Rush County Sheriff’s Department and the Rushville Police Department received numerous calls of slide-off accidents in the county and on city streets.

As county highway and city street department employees were kept busy law enforcement personnel were dispatched to a number of minor accidents.

The most serious incident occurred east of Rushville when a 1992 GMC driven by James A. McCarrell, 40, of Laurel, rolled multiple times.

RCSD Chief Deputy Duane Raab, who assisted deputy Terry Drake at the scene, said McCarrell was westbound when he lost control of his vehicle and left the south side of the road and rolled multiple times.

“He was one very fortunate individual that he was uninjured,” Drake radioed the dispatch center.

The Laurel man was wearing his seatbelt and shoulder harness at the time of the accident which had a dramatic impact on his minimal injuries, the officers agreed.

A short time later accidents were reported north of Rushville on SR 3 and west in the 2700 block of West U.S. 52.

A factor in each of the accidents was what is commonly referred to as “black ice.” The term “black ice” refers to a situation where roads appear to be merely wet when they are actually covered by a thin sheet of ice.

The slippery surface makes stopping nearly impossible and curves and small hills difficult to navigate.

Shortly before dawn, moisture from the south collided with a cold front and a steady drizzle turned into a thin coat of ice on area roads, making for extremely hazardous driving conditions.

Local and county law enforcement personnel want to stress that motorists should use extreme caution when driving this time of year as visibility and driving conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Also, posted speed limit signs are for driving during optimum weather conditions, which are frequently not the case this time of year.

Drivers should reduce their speed and drive cautiously, especially on county roads, while crossing over bridges or overpasses, and around curves where standing water may freeze.

Low lying areas and stretches of roadway where the sun is obstructed by tree cover are two other areas in which even thin layers of ice are slow to melt and where fog is likely.

According to law enforcement personnel, if you feel your vehicle lose traction and begin to slide you should remove your foot from the gas pedal and steer in the direction of the slide; avoid using the brake.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.

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