Michigan Law Enforcement Agencies Arrest 45 Drunk Drivers During Super Bowl Weekend

Livingston County had one drunk driving arrest during a three-day enforcement blitz.

Livingston County law enforcement joined 20 other Michigan counties in a drunk driving crackdown during Super Bowl weekend earlier this month. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning reported that the three-day enforcement blitz netted 45 drunk drivers, including 11 who were arrested for a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .17 or higher under Michigan's High BAC Law. Livingston County had one operating while intoxicated (OWI) arrest and three High BAC arrests. Wayne County had the most drunk driving arrests than any other county with 10 OWI arrests and 3 High BAC arrests in Detroit, Grosse Ile, Taylor, Wyandotte, Garden City and Northville Township. The Michigan State Police made 10 OWI arrests and 3 High-BAC arrests. The counties the …

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Snapshots of Hurricane Sandy Aftermath During MSP Deployment

Two Brighton Troopers were among the Michigan State Police's deployment of 24 law enforcement officers to New Jersey in order to provide law enforcement support and security in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) recently sent 24 uniform personnel to New Jersey on a seven day deployment to help provide law enforcement in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. MSP Jackson Post Commander Lt. Mike Krumm led the deployment with three sergeants and 20 Troopers from posts in Northern, Southwestern and mid-Michigan areas. Two of the State Troopers come from the Brighton Post.

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Two Brighton MSP Troopers Among Deployment to Assist in Hurricane Sandy Aftermath

The Michigan State Police deployed 24 law enforcement officers to New Jersey to provide law enforcement support and security in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) recently deployed 24 uniform personnel to New Jersey to provide additional law enforcement assistance in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, according to a press release. The seven day deployment began Nov. 4 and included MSP Jackson Post Commander Lt. Mike Krumm as well as three sergeants and 20 Troopers from posts in Northern, Southwestern and mid-Michigan areas. Two of the State Troopers come from the Brighton Post. The MSP deployment is in response to a request from the New Jersey State Police for out-of-state support through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a mutual aid agreement between states. During the deployment, the MSP will provide law enforcement support and security for teams of …

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Ask A Trooper

State Police Recruits New Troopers; Meaning of Implied Consent

Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Michigan State Police discusses voluntary cooperation for drug and alcohol testing when driving a vehicle.

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 who broke the law. Through the years there were many excellent times as well as a few heartbreaking times. Through it all, I know I’ve made the right …

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Ask A Trooper

Traffic Tickets: Your Rights and Responsibilites

Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Michigan State Police discloses everything you need to know after receiving a traffic ticket.

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 “clockwise” while in the round-about. Oops, that is wrong. In America, you can’t turn right in a round-about and travel in a “clockwise” direction…

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How Close is Too Close While Driving; Roundabout Rules and Right-of-Ways

Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Michigan State Police discusses safe following distances and roundabouts.

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 closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the highway.” …

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Nicole Krawcke

10:39 pm on Sunday, May 13, 2012

Hi Linda, if you read the article you can see that the mistake was corrected on Feb. 24, the day it was published, when user "Old Engineer" first pointed out the error. There is also an Editor's Note at the bottom of the article informing readers of the mistake and the correction. Thanks for reading.   more ›

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Operation Life Saver and Handling Road Rage

Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Michigan State Police advises on dealing with reckless driving and road rage in response to a question from a neighbor.

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 people at this meeting and every one of them are very interested in safety. I would suggest drivers, parents of teenage drivers and driver instructors …

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Amber Lights Ok to Use in Certain Circumstances

Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Michigan State Police Brighton Post addresses using amber lights.

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 found in MCL 257.698 which covers all sorts of lights and how those lights can be utilized. I am going to quote the sections of the law as it relates …

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New Law Prohibits Commercial Drivers From Using Hand Held Mobile Phones

Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Michigan State Police advises on the use of cell phones for Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) operators.

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: This definition would include semi-trucks and trailers, box trucks, businesses that have trucks with trailers (lawn care types) and tow trucks. This list is to provide examples and is not all inclusive of what is defined as a commercial vehicle but suffice it to say if your …

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Drivers Not Allowed to Watch TV; Using Highway Crossovers Dangerous and Illegal

Sgt. Mark Thompson of the Michigan State Police discusses important driving laws before the holidays.

Did you ever have one of those days when you sit in front of your computer and things are a little fuzzy — at least until you increase the font size? I’ve been having that issue, and yes, I’ve scheduled an eye exam. I refuse to say I’m getting older — I am maturing. But my wife says, sometimes there is a significant difference between my chronological age and my maturity age. The holiday season is upon us and families will be traveling throughout Michigan to visit family and friends. These trips can be a little further than “over the hill and through the woods.” During these trips, and after a great game of I-Spy, parents may sometimes use a portable television or laptop computer to show videos to keep our younger generation occupied. MCL …

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