Is The Mackinac Bridge a Dangerous Place to Drive?

The beautiful Might Mac, Michigan's stunning Mackinac Bridge, currently the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere. It is our gateway to the Upper Peninsula.

But this beautiful bridge can frighten many as they cross, because if the weather does turn bad it can throw you into a scary spin quickly and maybe nearly toss you off the bridge like this guy...YIKES!

A Minor accident? No way! As someone said:

"No such thing as a minor accident on the bridge"

There have been many rumors about the high winds across the Straits of Mackinac blowing cars into the waters. The bridge itself can move up to 35 feet side to side in high winds and that would be scary enough. But has a car actually been blown off?

According to the website Drivin & Vibin, only two vehicles have fallen off the side of the Mackinac Bridge. However, none of them were the result of wind. The first incident on Sept. 22, 1989, initially had high winds to blame as the cause of the accident. However, investigators later discovered the driver was speeding, hit the median, lost control, and jumped the guardrail. Holy Cow!

The second incident happened on March 2, 1997, when a driver intentionally drove his vehicle over the edge of the bridge. So neither incident involved wind.

The bridge actually can withstand up to 150 miles per hour winds, but the bridge authority won't let you cross. They're not crazy! The will partially close it at 50 miles per hour winds, and totally close it at 65 mph winds.

And for your information, the water underneath the bridge is 295 feet deep.

Not my idea of a little dip!