traffic updates

Introduction

  • Speaker: Sergeant Eric Broeger from the Grand Rapids Post.

  • Experience: 13 years in various roles: Rockford Coast, Muskegon Heights, legal resource education, field trainer officer, motor unit, evidence technician, traffic crash investigator, MVC instructor.

  • Current Role: Back at the Grand Rapids Post after 16 months in the legal resources education section.

Overview of Presentation

  • Focus: Discuss experiences on the road, especially concerning young drivers.

  • Key Observation: No recent legislative updates to the vehicle code.

  • Aim of Talk: Provide talking points for classroom discussion regarding hazardous actions seen on the road.

Observations from Experience

  • Fatal Traffic Crashes: Young drivers involved in serious accidents.

  • Common Issues: Speeding, inexperience leading to high-risk situations, and their consequences.

Hazardous Actions and Traffic Crashes

  • Reporting Unit: Reference to data collected by the traffic reporting unit within the state police.

  • Type of Crashes:
      - Non-fatal (basic traffic violations).
      - Fatal crashes (contributing factors).

  • Crash Reporting: Uses a form called Uni 10 for all crashes, even minor ones.

Hazardous Actions in Traffic Crashes

  • Example of Hazardous Actions:
      - Speed too fast for conditions: Not necessarily speeding but driving too fast for existing conditions (e.g., weather, road surface).
      - Distinction between reckless and careless driving:
        - Reckless driving is serious; Careless driving is often viewed as underutilized legally.

  • Notable Violations: Improper backing is included but not technically a vehicle code violation.

Factors in Fatal vs Non-fatal Crashes

  • Comparison of Crashes: Identifying patterns in hazardous actions.

  • Speed and Its Effects:
      - Importance of responsible speed, particularly among teen drivers.
      - 32% of all fatal crashes involving teen drivers involved speeding as a factor.

Speeding Statistics and Incidents

  • Personal Experience: Providing statistics from recent encounters (e.g., stopping drivers going 97 mph).

  • Inexperienced Drivers: Limited knowledge about vehicle dynamics leading to crashes at high speeds.

Speed Crash Dynamics

  • Crash Investigation Insights:
      - Personal account of a 16-year-old driver exceeding 100 mph; loss of control leading to a severe accident.
      - Dynamics discussed:
        - Weight transfer during speed changes affects vehicle stability.
        - Consequences of vehicle rollovers, particularly related to driver health and survival chances.

Crash Dynamics Analysis

  • Injuries:
      - Importance of seatbelts; potential for survivable accidents becoming fatal if occupants are not buckled.
      - Three Crashes in One: Vehicle collision, body impact against restraints, and internal organ injuries.

Violation of Basic Speed Law (VBSL)

  • Definition and Importance: VBSL refers to not driving at a speed that allows a driver to stop within a clear distance ahead.

  • Two Components:
      - Driving at a careful and prudent speed.
      - Having due regard for safety and conditions.

  • Application in Traffic Violations: Common citations during inclement weather or single-vehicle accidents.

Examples of Driving Behaviors Affecting Safety

  • Case Studies: Real incidents involving speeding and the repercussions.
      - Examples of careless driving leading to serious consequences and regulatory citations based on this behavior.

Graduated Driver's License (GDL) Implications

  • Impact of Violations: Understand the consequences of traffic citations on GDL.
      - Moving violations lead to extensions of the GDL period, including:
        - Convictions for traffic infractions.
        - Responsibility notes on crash reports, even without citations.

  • Specifics: 90-day extensions for Level 1, 12-month extensions for Level 2.

Kelsey’s Law and Distracted Driving

  • Legislative Overview: Kelsey’s Law highlights prohibitions against using mobile devices while driving.

  • Updates: Recent revamps to Michigan’s hands-free laws and associated penalties.

  • Enforcement Success: Recent citations issued for distracted driving offenses.

  • Critical Observations: Importance of driver awareness regarding what constitutes distracted or careless driving.

Final Remarks and Q&A

  • Encouragement for Young Drivers: Continuous education on the dangers and responsibilities involved with driving.

  • Advice for Instructors: Share knowledge from real-life experiences to enhance learning.

  • Discussion of Car Meet-Ups: Mention of legal implications concerning behaviors at these gatherings, emphasizing regulations applicable even on private property.

  • Closing Statement: Encourage dialogue about safe driving practices and legislative understanding among young drivers.