In his biweekly newsletter Wednesday, Biddeford Police Chief Roger Beaupre said there were 62 motor vehicle crashes in January, up from 53 at the start of 2016.
The figure, however, is still lower than those of January 2015, during which there were 81 motor vehicle crashes, and January 2014, when there were 65.
“Everybody has to drive defensively in weather like this,” said Dep. Police Chief JoAnne Fisk on Thursday.
Fisk said during Thursday’s storm, which dumped inches of snow in Biddeford, a Waterboro woman and her passenger were treated at Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford after the vehicle they were driving in plunged into Swan Pond on South Street.
Police said Karen Merrill, 43, lost control of her 2003 Jeep Liberty around noon Thursday and plunged into the pond. There was no information available about the passenger, Fisk said, but the two were treated for hypothermia and later released from the hospital.
Fisk also said there were several less serious fender-bender crashes on Thursday.
Beaupre said about 40 percent of crashes occurred at or near 10 intersections in Biddeford.
Those included the intersection of Alfred and Elm streets at Five Points, where there were four crashes in January, and the corner of Alfred Street and Andrews Road, where there were three.
Beaupre also said two-thirds of crashes occurred on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays, primarily between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Police are urging drivers to exercise caution, particular during the winter months, and are offering several safety tips for motorists as they embark on their commutes:
- Pull into traffic slowly. Stop, look and listen, caution police, and be aware of blind spots. Check both directions at least twice before proceeding with right-hand turns.
- Watch for red light runners. Count to three before entering an intersection on a green light, and look both ways to make sure no one is trying to speed through a yellow light.
- Keep at least one hand on the steering wheel. Reduce in-car distractions, such as changing songs, using mobile phones, eating or momentarily taking a hand off the wheel.
- Watch for kids. Drive slowly and watch carefully when driving in residential neighborhoods.
- Perform vehicle maintenance regularly. Change your car’s oil regularly and keep your tires properly inflated.
- Scan 12 seconds ahead. Concentrate on the area where you will be driving 10-12 seconds ahead, and maintain enough distance behind other cars to prepare for sudden stops or swerves.
- Look backward when backing out. Don’t depend on mirrors. Physically look over your right shoulder to alleviate blind spots created by mirrors.
- Do not tailgate. Leave a three-second distance between you and the car in front of you for cushion in case of a sudden stop, and prepare enough time to make it to your destination without feeling compelled to speed.
- Be courteous to other drivers. Treat other drivers with respect and report any suspicious driving to authorities.
— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@journaltribune.com.
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