Thank you for submitting your issue to the Washtenaw County Road Commission. We have received your request and are currently evaluating the situation. Thank you for your patience.

Thank you for looking into this. There may be accident reports for this intersection that could help you in your analysis.

Whatever number you find, however, there will have been a greater number of accidents. I know of at least three that weren't reported because typically a car lands in the ditch, no one is injured, and the car is not damaged--and I only pass by this intersection occasionally.

However, if a southbound driver on Earhart slides through the icy intersection at the same time a car flying down Joy road passes, there could easily be injuries. Hence my request.

Hi David,

WCRC follows the guidelines provided by the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD). The MMUTCD specifies the size, shape and color of all traffic signs. The sign that you have requested is not an approved sign by the MMUTCD and therefore will not be installed.

It sounds like the real issue in this area is that drivers are not driving to the weather conditions, as required by Michigan law. If you see unsafe driving behavior, we encourage you to contact local law enforcement.

Please give me a call if you would like to discuss further - (734) 327-6646. Thank you.

~Emily

Hello Emily,

Thank you for responding to my request. However, I’m puzzled by the denial and your response:

“The MMUTCD specifies the size, shape and color of all traffic signs. The sign that you have requested is not an approved sign by the MMUTCD and therefore will not be installed.“

I didn’t request any particular size, shape or color for the sign, only that there be a message warning drivers that the intersection is particularly dangerous in snowy or icy conditions—not unlike those you often see posted near bridges.

You then add:

“It sounds like the real issue in this area is that drivers are not driving to the weather conditions, as required by Michigan law.”

If that is the case, then why are those types of signs posted at bridges? Under close examination, this is not a logical response.

Of particular concern is that there is a school at this intersection, Spiritus Sanctus Academies. Pre-school through eighth grade students, their parents and faculty pass through this intersection twice a day in the winter. We should be concerned for the safety of all, but particularly for them.

I’ve reopened this request because I’ve asked others to comment. Let’s see what others have to say. Thank you

Hi David,

Thank you for the feedback. I'll give you a call sometime next week to discuss further.

~Emily Kizer

As the office administrator at Spiritus Sanctus Academy which is located on Joy Road just east of Earhart. I have witnessed numerous accidents from cars sliding past the stop sign on southbound Earhart Road and ending up in the ditch. Many of our school families that come that way have ended up in the ditch over the years. Placing a sign there would be very helpful and could possibly prevent a terrible accident if a southbound driver slid through the intersection and t-boned a vehicle travelling on Joy Road. The visibility is poor for vehicles travelling eastbound on Joy because of the tall marshy growth on the northwest corner of Joy and southbound Earhart. In the past we have asked the Road Commission to cut back the cat tails to improve visibility but it is a protected wetland or something. Again, a sign would be very helpful. Thank you.

David and I spoke this morning. As discussed, the sign that you have requested is not an approved sign by the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) and therefore, per our policy, it will not be installed.

In regards to sight distance concerns at the intersection due to vegetation, please contact us this summer if it become a problem again. We can look into that issue in more detail at that time if needed.

I'm going to close this request. Please give me a call if you would like to discuss anything further. You can reach me at (734) 327-6646.