This is an extended edition of our weekly update:

 Tonight: December 14… a 30 car pileup in West Michigan! Be careful!!

Safe winter driving tips from the NHTSA

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/chi-safe-winter-driving-tips,0,5976993.story

Safety Of Enbridge Pipeline In Great Lakes Challenged By Michigan And Illinois Senators

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Three U.S. senators asked a federal agency Wednesday for evidence that a pipeline crossing a section of the Great Lakes is safe, following a roughly 10 percent increase in its capacity to carry oil. Enbridge Energy Partners LP boosted the capacity of its Line 5 pipe earlier this year by 2.1 million gallons from 20.6 million. The line runs from Superior, Wis., to Sarnia, Ontario, passing through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and crossing the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile-wide area where Lakes Huron and Michigan meet. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/12/enbridge-pipeline-great-lakes_n_4435222.html

Grand Traverse County Accident Turned Fatal

Police are now releasing the name of a driver involved in an accident in Grand Traverse County that killed one person, though a second was left uninjured. The accident happened Tuesday evening on US 31 near Five Mile road. Police say 36 year old Joseph Abram Canavan of Traverse City lost control of his pickup truck while heading northbound. The truck crossed the center line and was struck by a southbound pumper truck operated by a 22 year old Kewadin man. The northbound truck then overturned. http://www.minews26.com/content/?p=28740

Here’s the lowdown on MDOT’s winter battle plan for Saginaw County roads

SAGINAW, MI — Though climatologists are unsure what winter will look like in the Midwest this year, state road crews in Saginaw County  are geared up for whatever Mother Nature brings. Their work to keep roads clear got rolling Nov. 25 when an early winter blast iced over roads throughout Saginaw County, forcing the temporary closure of Interstate 75 and causing more than 100 accidents before warmer weather and road salt thawed the mess. http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/11/mdot_piles_salt_in_saginaw_cou.html

Police: Driver injured in head-on crash with car turning into Saginaw County dealership

TITTABAWASSEE TOWNSHIP, MI — A driver in a two-car, head-on crash was taken to a Midland County hospital with injuries, according to the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department. The crash happened about 10:35 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7555 Midland, south of Freeland Road, in Tittabawassee Township, Saginaw County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Randy Pfau said. http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/12/police_driver_injured_in_head-.html

CMU student air lifted to hospital after car accident on Broomfield Road

A Shelby Township sophomore was struck by a car Wednesday on the corner of Broomfield Road and Mission Street and airlifted to a hospital in Saginaw. Anthony Cavataio, who is studying event management at Central Michigan University, was hit by a car while walking across Broomfield Road heading toward campus. http://www.cm-life.com/2013/11/29/cmu-student-air-lifted-to-hospital-after-car-accident-on-broomfield-road/

Motorist who hit CMU student charged with drunken driving, not causing an injury

Shelby Township sophomore Anthony Cavataio remains in critical condition in an intensive care unit after sustaining several injuries when he was hit by a car at the corner of Mission Street and Broomfield Road last Wednesday. Heading toward campus, Cavataio was struck by an oncoming car at 1:30 a.m. Police said the driver was arrested for operating while intoxicated but was not charged with causing Cavataio’s injuries. http://www.cm-life.com/2013/12/02/motorist-who-hit-cmu-student-charged-with-drunk-driving-but-not-for-causing-injury/

Injury accidents

The following personal injury accidents recently were reported to local law enforcement agencies:

Wednesday, Dec. 4 • 1:35 p.m. — West Prairie Road and South Nine Mile Road — Driver Debra Ann Wallace, 31, Midland, was hurt when she lost control on the slushy roadway, causing the vehicle she was driving to go off the road, into a ditch and overturn. She was treated at the MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland and released. She was cited for violation of the basic speed law. See more at: http://www.ourmidland.com/police_and_courts/injury-accidents/article_063f7383-0cbe-5416-b708-59df6af6d207.html

Storm bringing snow, slick roads to southern Mich.

DETROIT (AP) – A weekend storm expected to bring a half-foot or more of snow to parts of Michigan’s southern Lower Peninsula also has been snarling roadways. Detroit radio and television stations have reported numerous vehicle accidents and spinouts Saturday across southeastern Michigan. The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the region through midnight. http://www.13abc.com/story/24220524/storm-bringing-snow-slick-roads-to-southern-mich

Alternative transportation use growing in Michigan

Commuters in cities across the state (and nation) are opting for public transit over cars more and more. These trends were evident in Grand Rapids, Flint, and Detroit. As Ann Arbor continues its contentious debates about alternatiove transportation issues (bicycles, buses, rail and, ahem, pedestrians) it seems prudent that our leaders consider the current and expected trends when making policy. Just sayin’. http://www.concentratemedia.com/inthenews/alternativetransportontherise0263.aspx

Police, families gather at 12th annual Project Blue Light in Bay City to pay homage to fallen peers

BAY CITY, MI — Representatives from the families of 12 slain police officers gathered in Bay City the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 11, to recall their loved one’s sacrifice and accept blue-ribbon wreaths in their honor. The representatives — including those of two of Bay City’s own fallen officers Frank Kowalkowski and Raymond P. Rexer — received the wreaths at the 12th annual Project Blue Light, which began at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 805 Center Ave. The event is billed as “a service in remembrance of those police officers that have given the ultimate sacrifice and to honor those still serving to protect us on a daily basis.”  http://www.mlive.com/news/bay-city/index.ssf/2013/12/police_families_gather_at_12th.html

Court Docket: Exam waived in fatal crash

A Brighton man charged in connection with a September fatal crash has waived a preliminary exam, sending his case to Circuit Court for trial. Nicholas Nathan Gross appeared briefly in Livingston County District Court on Wednesday when his attorney announced the 26-year-old defendant was waiving the probable-cause hearing. The attorney also sought the judge’s approval allowing Gross to travel to visit family during the Christmas holiday. That requested was granted without objection from the prosecutor’s office. http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20131212/NEWS06/312120011/

Winter is Coming: Michiganize Your Car

By Aaron Ayala Winter in Michigan. It brings about scenes of cars not starting, accidents everywhere and black iced highways. These types of scenes are often played out over and over again throughout the winter months, but that does not have to be the case. Here are a couple of tips to help you winterize your vehicle, as well as some tools and tricks you may want with you should you experience an accident this winter. http://www.themichigantimes.com/article/2013/12/winter-is-coming-michiganize-your-car

Toyota to begin settlement talks over acceleration suits

NEW YORK, Dec 15 — Toyota Motor Corp and lawyers pursuing claims alleging the company’s vehicles suddenly accelerated, causing death or injury, will begin an “intensive settlement process” to resolve the lawsuits, a judge said. US District Judge James V. Selna in Santa Ana, California, yesterday issued an order halting the suits after Toyota and the plaintiffs’ lawyers asked for time to try settling the cases. Selna was scheduled to hear the first trial in March of about 200 federal claims consolidated before him. http://www.themalaymailonline.com/drive/article/toyota-to-begin-settlement-talks-over-acceleration-suits

Snow, low temperatures to continue Saturday, slippery conditions cause several accidents in Genesee County

GENESEE COUNTY, MI — Snow fall and low temperatures are responsible for several accidents across Genesee County Saturday morning, according to Genesee County 911. The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for southeastern Michigan, including Genesee, Lapeer, and Shiawassee counties with 3 to 5 inches of snow expected. The advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, until midnight. http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/12/snow_low_temperatures_to_conti.html

Michigan man dies in truck accident east of Emporia

An injury accident, involving a 2013 Chevy Silverado and a trailer at about 8:15 a.m. today, killed a Southfield, Mich., man 3.8 miles east of Emporia on Interstate 35, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Brian E. Ingersoll, 54, was southbound on I-35 and was driving in the passing lane in the Chevy, which was pulling a trailer, according to a Highway Patrol crash log. Ingersoll lost control of the pickup truck and jack knifed into the north ditch. He wore his seatbelt.

http://www.emporiagazette.com/latest_news_and_features/article_6e7c526a-6018-11e3-8f43-001a4bcf6878.html

Police responding to multiple car accidents as evening snowfall covers West Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – As snow blankets the region, police and medical personnel are continuing to respond to multiple car accidents and slide-offs across West Michigan. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/12/police_responding_to_multiple_2.html