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Tuscola County Officials Are Concerned About Traffic Crashes
Mary Drier/Mike Kaufman
Thu, 16 Oct 2025 21:52:46 EDT
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Thursday's meeting of the Tuscola County Commissioners steered in a different direction that was not on the agenda.
Commission Chair Kim Vaughan talked about the calls he received asking the county to do something about the dangerous roadways in the county where several accidents have occurred.
Although Vaughan is concerned about the accidents, he noted there isn't anything commissioners can do because the state makes the decisions on roads, and there are several steps that have to be taken to show need, traffic flow, and more. All of that takes the state a couple of years to complete all of the steps.
However, the Tuscola Road Commission might be able to help in some instances.
Some of the intersections that are areas of concern are Deckerville and Hurds Corner, Dutcher and M-81, Bevens and M-24, M-15 and Burch Run Road as well as Irish Road intersections in the southern part of the county.
Rumble strips, flashing lights, and more stop signs were suggested, but it comes down to drivers not paying attention or being distracted.
In 2024, there were five fatal accidents. In the first nine months of this year, the number of fatal crashes is more than double that because some crashes had multiple fatalities.
During discussion, it was suggested having the sheriff's department stepping up road patrols.
Sheriff Ryan Robinson explained the number of service calls have greatly increased and the department is still short staffed.
There are two candidates who are attending classes now to be deputies, and two more are scheduled to go to classes after that.
Robinson explained the patrols that are working are kept busy responding to complaints, and he does recognize the need for patrols.
He pointed out that Tuscola is losing employees because others pay better than the county does.
The City of Caro's Police Department and the Cass City Police Department pays officers more than the county does, and there are also better benefits that are available elsewhere and with better pay, Robinson explained about staffing.
