On the morning of Jan. 9, bad winter weather and some bad driving led to a 193-vehicle pileup on I-94 in southwestern Michigan.
One person died and 23 were injured in the series of crashes that occurred along a half-mile stretch in both the east and westbound lanes during a winter storm. Some 58 people, including 30 truck drivers, were ticketed for driving too fast for conditions. A total of 76 trucks were involved in the pileup, including one carrying fireworks and another carrying formic acid.
Weather stations and signs suggested to improve I-94 safety. (Image from Federal Highway Administration, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan State Police audit)The accident prompted a study of a 140-mile stretch of I-94, the results of which were released Monday, Nov. 30 by the Federal Highway Administration, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Michigan State Police.
In reviewing both sides of 143 miles of I-94 from the Michigan/Indian line to Jackson County line, the study, among other things, found:
- The corridor experiences crashes at a rate similar to those of other freeway corridors in Michigan. However, it had 24 percent higher crash rate during the winter (December – February) than other freeways in the state with 70 mph speed limits.
- A total of 6,678 crashes occurred between 2012 and 2014 along the section of I-94 studied; 5,840 (87.5 percent) did not involve deer.
- About 65 percent of the wintertime crashes involved a vehicle driving too fast for conditions. That compares to only 38 percent of all-season crashes. The study also found a strong connection between the amount of snow and the number of crashes that occurred along the portion of I-94 that was studied.
- Crashes occurred 16.3 percent more often in the eastbound lanes compared to those westbound.
- Factors that may have led to the higher crash rate included the presence of an interchange, limited sight/stopping distances, curves and two lanes.
The report included suggestions for changes and improvements including:
- Moving cable barriers from the side of the highway and into the median
- Installing weather monitoring stations
- Adjusting speed limits
- Providing courtesy patrols to aid disabled motorists
- Electronic message signs to alert motorists to dangerous conditions
- Planting vegetation to act as natural snowfences
- Improved roadway markings, lighting and signage
- Adding lanes and/or shoulders
- Eliminating congestion
