How To Share The Road With A School Bus

It’s an average Tuesday morning, and you're in a hurry to get to work on time. Unfortunately, you are now driving behind a school bus which is stopping every 50 yards along its path to pick up students on their way to school. Many drivers flirt with the temptation of driving around and passing the bus, even as the lights begin to flash and the STOP sign comes out. Not only is passing a school bus while it’s stopped and picking up students illegal, it’s extremely dangerous. DriveSafely.net estimates that 50,000 motorists illegally pass a school bus every single day. While a good portion of these drivers make the decision to pass the bus because of a lack of patience, there are many drivers that pass a bus because they are not familiar with the local laws pertaining to school bus safety. 

The Michigan State Police (MSP) have outlined how driver’s should react when driving near a school bus, as well as the possible consequences for breaking the law. 

School Bus Safety Tips for Drivers: 

  • Prepare to stop when a slowing bus has its overhead yellow lights flashing
  • Stop at least 20 feet away for buses when red lights are flashing, unless driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway
  • Slow down in or near school and residential areas
  • Look for clues such as safety patrols, crossing guards, bicycles, and playgrounds which indicate children might be in the area
  • Watch for children between parked cars and other objects

The MSP suggests that drivers treat school buses as regular traffic signals. When the overhead lights are flashing yellow, drivers should prepare to stop. If the bus lights are flashing red, stop immediately and do not attempt to pass the bus. When hazard lights are flashing, it is okay to proceed around the bus with extreme caution. The MSP also encourages parents to have a talk with their children about what they can do to stay safe when boarding and exiting the school bus. Children should stay in sight of the bus driver at all times, and always walk around the front of the bus, not the rear. Children are also advised to not hurry off the bus, and make sure that there is no oncoming traffic before crossing the street.

Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill into law in 2012 which made it illegal to pass a school bus while it is unloading students under any circumstances. Violators of the law could pay a fine between $100 and $500, as well as serve a required 100 hours of community service. 

No matter how frustrating it may be to get stuck behind a school bus, there is no excuse for breaking the law and endangering school children. If you find yourself getting stuck behind a bus on a daily basis, it may be best to find a different route to work. If you or somebody you know has a child injured due to a car attempting to pass a school bus, please call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our firm will work hard to get you any financial support for medical services and any other expenses you may experience, that you may be entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Michigan Sees Increase in Seat Belt Usage And Fatal Accidents in 2016

A study conducted by students at Michigan State University, in partnership with the Michigan State Police shows an increase in seat belt usage in 2016. The seat belt use rate climbed from 92.8% in 2015 to 94.5% so far this year. This comes as welcomed news, as there has been a significant increase in traffic deaths in the past two years. 

“Traffic safety programs are meant to reduce traffic deaths and mitigate the impact of injuries,” Michael L. Prince, Director of the Michigan Office of Highway Planning (MOHP) said in a statement sent out by the Michigan State Police. “The Click It or Ticket campaign remains our cornerstone effort to remind motorists about Michigan’s life-saving seat belt law.” MSP reports that since the state’s all-time belt use record of 97.9% in 2009, the rate has been declining or plateauing around 93%. 2016’s numbers are the highest it has been in five years. 

So what does a couple of percentage points mean? For every one percent increase in seat belt usage, there will be an estimated 10 fewer traffic deaths and 100 fewer serious injuries. Michigan ranks near the top in seat belt usage in the United States, as numbers range from 69.5% usage (New Hampshire) to 97.3% (California and Georgia). 

Cell phone usage was also tracked during this study, which found that the numbers remained the same from the previous year. 7.5% of respondents said they use some type of electronic device, including a handheld device or hands-free device. 

FATAL ACCIDENTS UP IN 2016

Even though seat belt usage has risen, MOHP reported that traffic deaths are 42 higher than this time last year with 440 traffic fatalities taking place as of June 28th. Electronic billboards have been spotted on Michigan highways displaying the fatal crash statistic in hopes that it influences drivers to be safer while out on the road. 

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and MSP are continuing their “Toward Zero Deaths” statewide safety campaign, which is looking to reduce traffic fatalities from 889 in 2011 to 750 in 2016. “As part of Operation C.A.R.E and the summer-long statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over drunk driving crackdown, troopers will take a zero-tolerance approach to motorists who are driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, are unbelted or exhibiting other dangerous driving behaviors,” Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, Director of MSP, told MLive. 

One of the first things drivers should do when they enter a vehicle is buckle their seat belt. It can be the difference between life and death when you are involved in a car accident. Distracted driving habits such as texting or taking pictures can also be very dangerous, not only to yourself but also to other drivers on the road. If you or somebody you know has been injured in an accident caused by distracted driving, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Whether caused by distracted driving or drunk driving, our attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of car crash cases. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Michigan State Police Trooper Injured in Accident on I-696

A Michigan State Police (MSP) Trooper was injured on Monday, July 25, 2016 on eastbound I-696 after his vehicle was hit by a large construction van. MSP reported to the Detroit Free Press that the crash happened around 7 A.M. when troopers responded to a vehicle in a ditch on eastbound I-696 near Lodge Freeway. 

“The trooper pulled over to the right shoulder and was struck by a large construction state van hauling a piece of equipment,” MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw said in a statement. The injured officer, who has yet to be identified, was rushed to Providence Hospital with injuries to the face, back, and head. Luckily, his injuries do not appear to be life threatening. The driver of the construction van vehicle was not injured and state troopers are still continuing to investigate the accident, Shaw reported. The crash caused all lanes of I-696 to be shut down around M-10, but the area has since been cleared and re-opened. 

The accident took place a week after MSP officials held a news conference to discuss Michigan’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to move over for stationary emergency vehicles with their lights activated or slow down and pass with caution if it’s not possible to safely change lanes, according to the Detroit Free Press. “It’s just kind of ironic that exactly one week ago we were standing in the same parking lot talking about the Move Over law...and now we have a smashed patrol car sitting here. The picture above was posted by the MSP Twitter account (@mspmetrodet) with the caption “This is why you need to pay attention while driving. Give a lane.”

According to MSP, a 2014 statewide survey commissioned by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning reported that 80% of motorists were aware of the move over law, but only 60% were aware that the law also applies to tow trucks. Shaw stated that it’s not uncommon for troopers to get hit while parked on the side of the road.

“One of the things we see all the time is the distracted driving on our freeway system. For us, we understand that humans are curious people by nature and everyone wants to take a peek. This is one of the reasons you’ll see us close two or three lanes for a crash, not only to protect our troopers, EMS and tow trucks, but also to protect the people at the crash scene,” MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw stated. 

Distracted driving, whether it's taking a Snapchat photo or sending a quick text, can affect your life forever. Taking your eyes off the road for even two seconds can be dangerous, potentially causing serious injuries or death. If you or somebody you know has been injured in an auto accident involving a distracted driver, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Whether it is a sore back, broken leg, or a Traumatic Brain Injury, Michigan drivers are entitled to reimbursement for auto accident related medical expenses, wage loss, and oftentimes pain and suffering compensation. Our attorneys will work alongside you to identify which areas of aid you need, and get you the help you deserve. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Michigan State Police Enforcing Distracted Driving Laws

Drivers might want to think twice the next time they want to send a text or take a Snapchat while driving around the Sterling Heights, Michigan intersection of Hall Road and Schoenherr Road. Police have promised to crack down on distracted driving around that intersection, as it has been ranked by the Michigan State Police as the 8th most dangerous intersection in Michigan. 

The tight enforcement of distracted driving will be a team effort, as the intersection falls on the city borders of Utica, Sterling Heights, and Shelby Township. The video news story posted on ClickOnDetroit this morning featured an officer pulling over a driver who was traveling 60 mph, which is well over the posted speed limit of 45 mph. Going 15 miles per hour over the speed limit is legal grounds for a reckless driving ticket. Within a time frame of less than an hour, officers at the intersection pulled over several other drivers for careless driving, reckless driving, and distracted driving. 

“This is a matter of life and death. We have people on the streets dying in the United States of America because somebody felt it was so important to respond to a text or an email while driving,” Sterling Heights Police Department Chief John Berg said. The tri-city effort to curb distracted driving in the area is being called “Operation Blue Light”. 

As previously stated, this intersection is ranked the 8th most dangerous intersection in the state of Michigan. Leading causes to this ranking are the speed that drivers travel at on Hall Road, as well as the high volume of traffic the area experiences on a daily basis. Add in a dose of distracted driving, and the likelihood of an auto accident increases dramatically. "If you just look around in your cars you will see everyone on their cell phones, it’s actually kind of embarrassing,” Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide told Local 4 News. 

The enhanced crackdown on distracted driving will begin on June 20th, as police will be looking for drivers who are not paying attention to the road or are using their cell phones while driving. The police departments want drivers to know that they are not doing this to simply write tickets, but to save a life instead. Traffic signs and billboards will be scattered throughout the area to bring awareness to drivers. 

If a driver feels it is necessary to use their cell phone while in the vehicle, they are strongly encouraged to pull over and come to a complete stop before sending a message or picture. Distracted driving is becoming a dangerous trend in the United States. Cell phones are estimated to be involved in 1.6 million automobile accidents each year, leading to 6,000 fatalities, according to Don’tTextandDrive.com. 

Distracted drivers not only put other drivers' lives at risk, they also put their own lives at risk. No text or email or picture is worth ruining someone's life over. If you our somebody you know has been injured in an auto accident because of distracted driving, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys realize the long-term physical and emotional effects a car accident may have on a victim, and they will not rest until you get the help that you deserve. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.