Sheriff's Office

Traffic Services

The Sheriff's Office Traffic Services Unit consists of one captain, one sergeant and three full-time deputies. The sergeant's duties include supervising the three full-time traffic deputies; along with serious and fatal crash investigations and reconstruction, which includes forensic mapping of crash and crime scenes. In addition, the captain and sergeant serve as a liaison between state and local offices regarding traffic safety issues. Traffic Services deputies enforce state traffic laws, investigate motor vehicle crashes, and serve as traffic enforcement training officers for all new deputies.

An aerial photograph of several Ottawa County officers lined up next to their cruisers as they stand at attention on the US-231 Bypass bridge

US-231 Bypass

Traffic Services Unit

  Lt. Nick Knott

The Best Defense for Deer Crashes

The Michigan Deer Crash Coalition (MDCC) was established in 1996 with a mission of working to mitigate both the frequency and severity of vehicle-deer crashes through public information, driver education, and applied research. MDCC reminds drivers to stay awake, alert, and sober - remembering that safety belts are the best defense in any collision. Also, be alert for deer in the spring and fall, especially at dawn and dusk - heeding deer crossing and speed limit signs, particularly on two-lane roads. If a crash is unavoidable, MDCC cautions drivers not to swerve out of their lane to avoid deer. Instead, the coalition instructs drivers to brake firmly while securely gripping the steering wheel to bring the car to a controlled stop.