Southfield (WWJ) -- Winter weather isn't quite here yet, but the Road Commission for Oakland County is already warning drivers that winter storm clean up this year may take longer than in past years.
The RCOC blames the potential problem on the agency's reduced staff resulting from years of declining revenue.
"In the past, we had 190 employees available to drive snowplows/salt trucks in the winter," stated RCOC Board Chairman Richard Skarritt. "Today, we have 150. That's a 21 percent reduction in available drivers."
The RCOC typically puts 106 snowplows/salt trucks on the road to battle a major snow or ice storm. The initial drivers can stay on the road for up to 16 hours before they are required to rest.
In the past, RCOC was able to replace the initial 106 drivers with up to 84 drivers for a second 16-hour shift to continue fighting the storm or to clean up after the storm. This year, no more than 44 drivers will be available for the second shift.
"That's a substantial reduction in our ability to fight a prolonged storm, or even a series of small storms, or to clean up after a major storm," Skarritt said. He explained the reduction in staff is a direct result of declining state road funding for RCOC.
The message for drivers: Don't automatically assume that roads have been salted or plowed.
Additionally, it may take RCOC snowplows/salt trucks longer to get into subdivisions following snow storms this year due to the reduced number of drivers.
"Safety dictates that we focus our reduced resources on the roads that carry the most traffic at the highest speeds," Skarritt said. "Only when those are sufficiently clear will we move to the slower, less-traveled subdivision streets."
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