Quam Amoa, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada has several questions about a speeding citation he received while traveling near Grand Rapids, Michigan.   In his email, Quam explains when he was issued the speeding citation and he did not understand how to pay for the speeding citation.  The officer suggested he make a court date, which Quam did, but Quam did not attend the court date.  Quam is asking, how can he now take care of the citation and what are the repercussions if he does not take care of the speeding citation and wants to drive in Michigan again. Quam’s current situation is a perfect …

Don’t like the weather? Wait it will change. Speaking of weather, on those few warm days and some not so warm days one of the early signs of spring has made its presence known. I’m talking about motorcycles. I’m going to ask everyone to remember to be vigilant and look more than once for motorcycles. A few seconds of safe driving techniques could save everyone from years of heartache and pain. That being said, motorcycle operators and their passengers also have a responsibility for the safe operation of a motorcycle.  Drivers have you done your equipment safety check?  Is everything working? …

I have discovered, if your wife accidentally locks herself out of the house, and you are at work and your cellular telephone battery is dead, it will not only prove the house is very difficult to break into, but when you arrive at home, you will soon embark on a trip to an exotic restaurant.   A recent traffic crash involving the Executive for Oakland County and a retired Michigan State Trooper has been making quite the media splash. Most likely we could discuss numerous dynamics leading up to the crash and the actual crash, but I would like to talk about three. First, seatbelts really, …

Well it rained and my yard is green again, which means the grass in growing and I am mowing. The Tigers are competing for first place, football season is around the corner and the all-important school is about to begin. Hang on for the ride as it doesn’t look like things will be slowing down much. My retired partner, Curt Fonger, stopped by for a visit. We worked road patrol together a little while ago, or as some would say, “When ships were wood and men were steel.” We can hold our own when stories are told of adventure and daring. But, Curt tells me there is a life after being a Trooper and…

I’m back from vacation and full of vim, vigor and vitality.  I needed all three on my first day back to work, which turned into a 17-hour work day thanks to an overturned semi. Still, I’m glad to be back to work and making a contribution to life. I hope you are able to take time and enjoy our summer. You don’t have to travel far to find something to do or see in southeast Michigan. We have great parks to visit or camp in, a plethora of festivals and fairs and many cultural institutions and events. Many locations are within a half a tank of gas and it’s not like we’ve had too much rain. Take a…

Have you ever been lost?  Yeah, me neither, but I have been exploring a couple of times. Now ask yourself, if the road I take to go home or work is closed for some reason, could I still drive myself home or to work? I know some of you are thinking; do I know another way to get to where I need or want to be?    There may be times when the roads you travel to your home are closed for a variety of reasons; road construction/maintenance, crash investigations, fire scenes, crime scenes or some other emergency, just to name a few. And it is not uncommon for some people who have forever traveled …

Have you ever been in a little traffic tie up, wonder what some silly person did to screw up your commute. That was me on Wednesday. There I was driving gather supplies for yard work and assorted other home projects when traffic came to a stop on M-59 at Argentine Road. I saw the traffic light was green but nobody was moving.  I thought to myself, “well golly gosh dern what could be holding up traffic?” I’ve got things to do. Just as the traffic light turned red and I was going to be stopped for another traffic light cycle, I got my answer. Unbeknownst to me a mother duck and her gaggle of …

For many of us Memorial Day is more than just a holiday. It’s a time our country has set aside to remember our military personnel, those living and those who have passed on, who served in our military and to thank them for their service.   So if you’re at one of the many parades, in a restaurant or walking in a store and you see a person in uniform or with one of those baseball caps with the ship or unit they served with, just stop and say, “thank you for your service.”  They will understand and appreciate that you took the time.    To all our veterans’, thank-you for your service and …

Bill who lives in Brighton Township emailed a question regarding home security alarm systems. Bill lives in Brighton Township but has a Milford mailing address and asks who does he have the alarm company call; Milford Police, Livingston County Sheriff or Michigan State Police? The answer is none of the above.  Since Bill lives in Brighton Township in Livingston County, a Trooper or Livingston County Deputy would respond to his residence for any calls for service, including alarms, but Bill would not call the police departments directly. Livingston County has one dispatch center that serves …

This week we have a question which involves the enforcement of traffic laws on private property. This is always and interesting topic. I will be quoting numerous Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) and if you would like to look them up, use the Michigan Legislature website at www.legislature.mi.gov. J. Michael Lenninger asks if drivers have to obey a stop sign on private property, like those found at Meijer or Kohl stores.  The short story is yes, drivers should obey those traffic signs and directions found on private parking lots and roadways. Those traffic control signs are placed in those parking…

Everyone knows the motorcycle helmet law was recently changed to where under certain circumstances riders on a motorcycle do not have to wear a helmet. I am not going to debate the issue of should person wear or not wear a helmet. Having a choice is a wonderful thing, so is responsibility.  I would like to remind all drivers to “look twice and save a life.” This saying works not only when looking for motorcycles, but also for every day driving.  Another motorcycle saying is, “Motorcycle operators should always drive defensively because in a crash, even if you are right, you lose.”  And with …

Hey, how about those Tigers! A win is always a great way to start the baseball season. And like most people I’m looking forward to an interesting and successful regular season, with an extension in October. Put me in coach, I’m ready to play! Teresa Lyden, Speech Pathologist, from the University of Michigan Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology/Speech Pathology contacted me for information regarding the operation of a motor vehicle while taking medication. She was seeking information for patients who may be issued medication for various treatments and then drive.  Everyone knows if a person …

I’m sure you have all heard about last weeks tornado touch down in Dexter, Michigan. I was part of the Michigan State Police mobilization team sent to the Dexter area to assist the Washtenaw County Sheriff Department with area security and traffic control.Everybody expects various government agencies to be involved in a disaster and multiple government agencies were involved in the Dexter area. But the hundreds of family, friends local businesses and volunteers, who came to help those in need, was outstanding, a true inspiration and reflects positively on the citizens of Michigan.Washtenaw …

Since I was knee high to a grass hopper, I’ve always wanted to be a police officer. I suppose the desire began while listening to the stories my uncle, Al “Bear Bait” Thompson, who was an Alaska State Trooper/Game Warden, would tell at family gatherings. Those stories were interesting, full of adventure and certainly piqued my 10-year-old interest in law enforcement. And the rest, as they say, is history. I’ve been involved in law enforcement for 33 years, and the last 27 as a trooper. I know I’ve made a positive impact in the community by helping people who needed help and arresting people …

Baseball’s spring training has begun and it looks like the Tigers will provide stiff competition in their division and the American League. I’m looking forward to attending a game or two and snacking on the peanuts and hotdogs as both seem to taste better at the ball park.Thanks to Mike Gorman, of Ann Arbor, MI, who noticed a small, but significant, conundrum with the last Ask A Trooper column and emailed me.Last week I wrote about the intricacies of round-abouts. I wrote about how to enter a round-about a driver would yield to traffic already in the round-about and then turn right and travel…

I was going to comment about the wonderful early spring we are having, the arrival of the sandhill cranes, herons and starlings. Then Friday’s snow storm happened and I think I’ll just wait a few more weeks before I get geared up for 'spring.' Hope your Friday drive into work went well.Livingston County resident Kifton Dillow would like me to write about safe following distances and right-of-way in roundabouts.Let’s tackle the safe following distance. MCL 257.643 specifically covers following too close. MCL257.643(1) states, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more…

This week I was asked by a train safety group called Operation Lifesaver to attend a meeting and talk about vehicles crossing train tracks safely and legally. The invitation was sent after an Ask A Trooper column where I described seeing a teenage driver cross the train tracks, while the warning lights were flashing, the bells were sounding and a train was approaching. I was asked to discuss the traffic stop I made and the contact I had with the driver.The members of Operation Lifesaver are focused on trains, rail traffic and most important safety. I met some very interesting and dedicated …

What interesting weather we’re having -- rain, fog, a little snow, warm temperatures, down-right cold temperatures, cloudy and sunny -- and that’s in the past two weeks. My brother bought a new snow-blower last fall and hasn’t had a chance to use it yet. He says it’s the best anti-snow insurance he could have bought.Matt Smith asks, “Can a person legally use an amber light to back-up in a large parking lot, or use them on the side of the road? I have seen lots of people use them, especially snow plow drivers private and public. Can I use them on my vehicle?”The answer to Matt’s question is …

This column is dedicated to Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) operators. A new law took effect on Jan. 3 regarding the use of mobile phones in a CMV and it would behoove the drivers and owners of these vehicles to pay particular attention to this new law because violating it could become very expensive. A CMV is defined as; Any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate of intrastate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle: Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight of 10,…

Well, winter has shown up. Please remember to give yourself extra travel time and enjoy Michigan’s winter wonderland.Dave Iowe emailed a question about open carrying a pistol or using a concealed pistol license (CPL) regarding banks and credit unions.This is one of those questions that come up from time to time, regarding a law or laws that have undergone recent changes. To make sure I convey the right information, I contacted Sgt. Aimee Maike at the Michigan State Police Headquarters Legal Resource and Education Unit to help me answer this question.First, MCL 750.234d(1) prohibits a person …