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Police offer tips to reduce winter accidents after seeing spike in crashes

ALPENA, Mich — Snow has started to fall, making travel more difficult and dangerous, and accidents are becoming more prevalent as a result of the inclement weather.

Lieutenant Eric Hamp of the Alpena Police Department, says the number of accident calls have been steady since the snow began.He says a few simple tips will keep drivers from having to deal with the aftermath of a collision.

Naturally, give yourself extra time when driving to your destination. Increase your following distance. You should give yourself and the driver in front of you plenty of space to react and break if necessary.

Ensure your headlights are on. Some cars have automatic lights that only turn on in the dark, but not when visibility is low. And be sure to defrost your windshield and clean your car of snow and ice. Failure to do so is illegal in Michigan.

We still have several months left to navigate through the snow and ice, so remember to consider yourself, as well as other drivers and their families when you head out on the road.