From April 24-May 1, 2022, Eaton County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 860 calls for service. Higher call volumes occurred in the following areas: Traffic Stops-198, Suspicious Subject/Situation/Vehicle-59, Assist Citizen/Motorist Assists-43, Shoplifting Complaints-33, Traffic Violations-31, Alarms-26, Check Well-Beings-23, Property Damage Crashes-23, Traffic Hazards-21, Civil Complaints-18, Parking Violations-16, Domestic Disputes-15, Car/Deer Accidents-13, Personal Injury Crashes-12, Cardiac or Resp. Arrest-10, and Harassment-10.
May is National Bicycle Safety Month. With increasing gas prices and about 80 million bicyclists sharing the road with vehicles, it is vital bicyclists – and drivers – take some safety precautions.
Cyclists, always inspect your bike prior to riding.
- The seat should be adjusted to the proper height and locked in place
- Make certain all parts are secure and working properly
- Check that the tires are inflated properly
- Make sure the bike is equipped with reflectors on the rear, front, pedals and spokes
- A horn or bell, a rear-view mirror and a bright headlight also are recommended
Make certain drivers can see you.
- Wear neon, fluorescent or other bright clothing
- Whenever possible, ride during the day
- If you must ride at night, wear reflective clothing and use flashing lights
Everyone should wear a helmet certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission on every bike ride regardless of length of the ride. Follow these guidelines from NHTSA to properly fit your helmet:
- Adjust sizing pads or fit ring until the helmet is snug
- Position the helmet level on your head, covering the forehead and not tipped backward or forward.
- Adjust the side straps so they form a “V” shape under and slightly in front of your ears
- Center the buckle on the chin strap under your chin
- Buckle and tighten the chin strap until it is snug; no more than one to two fingers should be able to fit between the chin and strap
- When fitted, the helmet should not rock more than 1 inch side to side or front to back on your head
Stay safe on roadways by following these rules:
- Bicyclists must follow the same traffic laws as motorists
- Ride single-file in the direction of traffic
- Remain alert, keep your head up and look around; watch for opening car doors and other hazards
- Use hand signals when turning and use extra care at intersections
- Never hitch onto cars
- Before entering traffic, stop and look left, right, left again and over your shoulder
Yours in Public Safety,
Sheriff Tom Reich