Latest news with #MikeShaw
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zipper merge: MDOT podcast will discuss safety, rumble strips, construction
With construction underway on Michigan roads, it's a certainty you'll need to merge down to one lane at some point: State officials are urging drivers to "zipper" merge, a method to navigate congested highway work zones. The Michigan Department of Transportation recommends the zipper merge amid construction, allowing drivers to use both lanes as long as possible and then take turns merging into one lane. State transportation officials on this week's Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, will discuss zipper merging during a conversation about efforts engineers take to balance mobility and safety during active road work. Lindsey Renner, division administrator for Construction Field Services at MDOT and a former supervisor of the Work Zone Safety section, also will explain the challenges involved and discuss innovative methods such as rumble strips, speed trailers and law enforcement employing a "Ghost Rider" program to identify distracted drivers. Here's what to know. The Talking Michigan Transportation podcast features conversations with transportation experts inside and outside MDOT and will touch on anything and everything related to mobility, including rail, transit and the development of connected and automated vehicles. You can listen to the current and past podcast episodes online. A zipper merge is when traffic merges into one lane on a road, alternating to use one lane through construction. If you're entering a zipper merge on the road, look for signs advising drivers to use both lanes take turns, MDOT said. MDOT uses the zipper merge in construction zones where there is a bottleneck, typically on roads in congested, urban areas, the department says. It's important for drivers to follow instructions on signs and treat other drivers with respect to make the process safe and effective, MDOT says. Drivers should never block lanes or try to control the flow of traffic during a zipper merge. The Michigan State Police have recommended the process numerous times. "When approaching a construction zone in which a lane is reduced, remember to use the zipper merge. To keep traffic moving, drivers should use both lanes, with drivers taking turns alternating into the open lane," MSP said in a 2022 post on X. Law enforcement officials from the Michigan State Police patrol for distracted drivers in unmarked vehicles. The initiative uses unmarked spotter cars with a law enforcement officer in the passenger seat monitoring for distracted drivers. Once spotted, a visible law enforcement unit is radioed in to conduct a traffic stop. 'Driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near crashes," said 1st Lt. Mike Shaw, public information officer at the Metro Detroit Michigan State Police, in a post on X. "Distracted drivers are a threat to themselves, their passengers, and anyone else on the road to include pedestrians and bicyclists." Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MDOT podcast on construction safety, zipper merge, rumble strips
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
State police fatal crash concern heightens for '100 deadliest days' on road
The Brief The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is referred to by state police as the 100 deadliest days on the road. State police say there more fatal crashes and higher speeds on the road of late, causing concern. FOX 2 - State police say more drivers are going over the speed limits causing more crashes and more lives lost. The 100 deadliest days on the road has started, running now through Labor Day. Why you should care Troopers are seeing more drivers doing the big three - excessively speeding, driving distracted and following too closely - putting their lives and that of others, at risk. "We are seeing a lot more of those specific crashes," said 1st Lt. Mike Shaw, Michigan State Police. The dangerous mix is to blame for 314 fatalities and more than 1,500 injuries already this year. Shaw said he expects those numbers to climb in the coming weeks. "Especially in the City of Detroit we see drag racing and some of the things that are going on out there at the car shows," Shaw said. "And going out to tell somebody that their family member was killed because somebody drove like an idiot is just not the way to go about it." Families like the Herrins whose loss we shared with you around Easter weekend. Their loved one, Mark, was riding his motorcycle when he was killed after crashing with a white Cadillac. Investigators say the other driver fled afterward. "Just to be so selfish to drive away from a scene like that, is totally inhumane," said Steve Bogan, the victim's brother. "How can somebody do that?" Michigan State Police confirmed that no fatal accidents were reported in Metro Detroit's Second District this Memorial Day weekend – a first in years – but, they remains cautious about the days to come. "It's personal responsibility, right?" Shaw said. "I mean when you get behind the wheel of a car, you're responsible for basically, what is a weapon." A weapon on wheels that Lt. Shaw says is not taken seriously, especially when it comes to seatbelts. "We used to have 97 to 98% seatbelt compliance," he said. "We led the country in seatbelt use. We're about down to 92% now, where people just aren't wearing their seatbelts anymore. "You should use every protective item that you have in your vehicle to keep you safe." The Source Information from the Michigan State Police was used in this report.
CBS News
27-04-2025
- CBS News
2 drivers shoot at each other on highway in Macomb County, police say; 2 injured
Police in Macomb County are investigating a shooting that closed down over one mile of eastbound Interstate 94 Saturday afternoon. Officials say the drivers of a black Chevrolet Malibu and a silver vehicle were shooting at each other at 12:55 p.m. on I-94 near 10 Mile Road. The driver of the Chevrolet then rear-ended a GMC Acadia, and the motorist of the silver vehicle continued driving east on the freeway. The drivers of the Chevrolet and GMC pulled onto the right shoulder, and one of the Chevrolet passengers carried a pistol up the embankment and threw it before returning to the Chevrolet, police say. The pistol was recovered, and St Clair Shores Emergency Medical Services transported two people who were in the Chevrolet to the hospital for medical treatment. Officials say there were no other reported injuries. Over a mile of the highway was shut down for most of Saturday as Michigan State Police investigated. Lieutenant Mike Shaw said detectives are currently working to find the motive of the shooting and the relationship between the two vehicles.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Violent I-275 crash at I-94 leaves driver dead in Romulus
ROMULUS, Mich. (FOX 2) - A woman is dead after a car crash on I-275 and W Huron River Drive on Monday night. Michigan State Police said at 7:10 p.m., they were called out to southbound I-275 for a single-car crash. When they arrived, officials say they found a Jeep with massive damage to the front in the center median with the center bridge abutment. What they're saying They believe the driver of the Jeep lost control of her car and crossed all lanes, running into the center median before hitting the abutment. The 25-year-old driver was ejected from the car as a result, according to MSP. She died at the scene. "Investigators are currently trying to figure out why the driver lost control," said F/Lt. Mike Shaw. "We are waiting on ME reports and vehicle inspections. This crash does serve as a reminder of how important it is to wear your seatbelt." The Source FOX 2 used information from MSP Second District on social media.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- CBS News
Metro Detroit woman dies after crashing into bridge abutment on I-275
Police said a 25-year-old woman has died after she lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a bridge abutment Monday evening on southbound I-275. According to Michigan State Police, the Detroit Regional Communications Center received 911 calls at 7:10 p.m. about a crash on the freeway and W. Huron River Drive. Troopers located a Jeep with damage to the front. The driver from Wayne was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation revealed that the woman crossed all lanes and drove into the center median before she hit the abutment. The crash caused the driver to be ejected from the vehicle. "Investigators are currently trying to figure out why the driver lost control. We are waiting on ME reports and vehicle inspections. This crash does serve as a reminder of how important it is to wear your seatbelt," said MSP 1st Lt. Mike Shaw.
