Why do some troopers park so close to the fog line when investigating a freeway crash?
Behind the Blue Line — Michigan State Police Trooper Duane Zook takes your law enforcement questions
I was approached late last week by an Ypsi Troop who asked about what question I would be answering for this week's column.
The trooper said, “You should write about people getting over.”
It was nearing the end of this trooper's shift and I could only assume he had a close call on the freeway. All troopers have a story about how they’ve faced a near-death experience.
A Michigan State Police traffic stop.
People frequently ask, why do you position your police cars that way and why do some of you park on the fog line on the freeway? Some people may think we are just asking to get hit by the way we park.
The simple answer is safety. Police officers use the patrol car as a shield while on traffic stops, investigating crashes, or while assisting a motorist.
If you can, imagine just for a minute what it's like to be on I-94 — or even better I-696 — for 15 minutes during rush hour traffic. I say fifteen minutes because that is the average time of a traffic stop. To put you in a police officer's shoes, or boots rather, picture standing by yourself on the fog line with your back turned from traffic and traffic zipping by at 70 to 80 mph.
The only thing keeping you alive is that narrow white fog line and the passing motorists you hope are paying attention. The sound of someone driving on the shoulder making the rumble strips sing is one of the worst sounds you want to hear while standing on or near that line. Without question, the roadways are a dangerous place.
Michigan State Police Troopers Manuel H. Fields, Frederick A. Hardy and Rick L. Johnson were all killed in the line of duty while conducting traffic stops along the freeway by drivers who had struck them or their vehicle as the troopers worked on the shoulder of the freeway.
On Aug. 27, 1994, Trooper Fields conducted a traffic stop along I-94 near US-127 when he was struck by a passing vehicle while standing along the shoulder of the freeway during a traffic stop.
On Nov. 6, 1999, Trooper Hardy was killed in the line of duty as he got out of his patrol vehicle to conduct a traffic stop along I-96 near Livernois Road. He, too, was struck by a passing vehicle.
Exactly six months after Trooper Hardy lost his life, Trooper Johnson made the ultimate sacrifice on May 6, 2000, when he was struck by a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop along I-94 in Van Buren County.
The deaths of Trooper Hardy and Trooper Johnson led to the “Move Over” law being signed. It took effect March 28, 2001.
The “Move Over” law, MCL 257.653a, explains that it's the “duty of approaching vehicle to exhibit due care and caution.”
This simply means that when you see an emergency vehicle with emergency lights activated, please move over. Officers are aware that in all instances, drivers may not be able to move over safely based on traffic flow, weather conditions, etc. The law clearly states that if you are not able to move over, reduce your speed.
The “Move Over” law is not limited to police officers. It includes ambulances, fire vehicles and wrecker vehicles. The law is intended to keep all emergency responders safe.
Do you have a question you want answered? Every Tuesday, I'll post the answers to your questions here. Send me a question at ypsilantipost@gmail.com.
Comments
jennifer nunnery
Sun, May 15, 2011 : 8:17 p.m.
Correction to the last statement.... We do have a right to judge and analyze officers..........as long as YOU have the knowledge of the laws, and a full understanding of their training (how and why they are trained to handle different situations) and you know the entire situation you are judging from beginning to end!!!!!!!!!! THEN ANALYZE AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jennifer nunnery
Sun, May 15, 2011 : 8 p.m.
@Lumber---Thanks for your interest in my thoughts although I feel I have made it quit clear how I feel, but I will go ahead and clarify my OPINION once again.. There is NO safe way I can see of pulling over a vehicle. The police no matter where they pull over the vehicle wont find some citizen that wont complain on how they are handling the situation. People are so quick to analyze the police officers but until you walk in their shoes you truly have no right! I do believe, as in any job you have people that are not as competent as others. This I am sure is the same in law enforcement. As with any job, expertise comes with experience. The vehicle you see pulled to the left side of the freeway could have multiple reasons why it is there, unless you are directly involved in the situation you don't know the full story. So dont be so quick to judge and be disgruntled. Did you think maybe A. the car is stalled, B. the driver freaked out and pulled to the left then the officer attempted to direct and the driver failed to follow. C. after the driver failed to follow the officer discovered the driver is drunk and can not allow the driver to drive any further, D. the driver turns out to be a minor etc etc etc......... The POINT is you can not judge ANYONE unless you are aware of the ENTIRE situation.. Yes pulling over a vehicle and blocking a lane is frustrating to me and every driver out there but it's called life...Deal with it by leaving early enough in case you run into a situation such as that. Our society is always go go go and me me me... Some of these comments are very self centered and don't address safety but more so the inconvience that it has caused them. Well tough keep up the GREAT work officers and I will be one that has your back on the road!!!! Next POINT once again.. Driving is a privelege not a RIGHT! Keep the TV's, computers, cellphones and any thing else that distracts your attention from the road out of the vehicle! Im done enough said!
lumberg48108
Mon, May 9, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
There are two issues here it seems -- officer safety when pulling people over - and its a no brainer - we should all heed but No. 2 is what ChelseaBob refers too ... why not go to a safe place that does not impeed traffic????? I have seen cars pulled over on the LEFT side of I-94 during rush hour ... what is the purpose of this? traffic was backed up for miles cynics will say cops enjoy the power and dont care if thousands have to wait while they write a ticket the simple answer is for any police officer to direct a person pulled over to a safe place away from congestion how is this being critical of police efforts? @jennifer nunnery -- your thoughts on this matter are lacking
Thomas
Mon, May 9, 2011 : 2:19 p.m.
Well said Jennifer!!
Joslyn at the U
Mon, May 9, 2011 : 2:04 p.m.
State Troopers are the best. Give them some space so they can do the job. SALUTE
snapshot
Mon, May 9, 2011 : 5:38 a.m.
I'd like to see more tickets for "tailgating" I've driven in many states and it seems tailgating is "routine" in Michigan. What gives?
ChelseaBob
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 7:30 p.m.
Snapshot- You need to get out of the left lane. You are in our way.
KJMClark
Sun, May 8, 2011 : 1:34 a.m.
Jennifer's absolutely right. Your convenience ***NEVER*** overrides the safety of the officer or the person they've pulled over. What's with you people??? In case you're all missing it, construction season starts any day now. Is your convenience so important that we shouldn't close lanes to do repairs? Geez.
5c0++ H4d13y
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
State police should be required to take their traffic stops off the highway. If it's so incredibly dangerous and they wont do it on their own ... pass a law that requires them to take their stops to the next exit. It's for safety, right?
jennifer nunnery
Sun, May 8, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.
Sure that would be great in an ideal world where everyone the troopers attempt to pull over, are just a moving vehicle citation offender. Unfortunately, we have far worst humans in this world that drive on the freeways. If you make a law that vehicles can not be pulled over on the freeway this gives the criminal a longer oppurtunity to plan an escape or plan an attack. In big citys where there is an exit usually in a short distance the officer should use his professional judgment and if appropriate pull off the freeway. But there are freeways where there is a great distance between exits and that would not be appropriate to force the officer to have the vehicle drive all the way to the exit while following the vehicle. That action would also interfere with traffic. Think about how all traffic slows down on both sides of the freeway when emegency vehicles are present. As humans we are naturally curious in other words nosey. Traffic would slow down people would be watching while the police car follows athe vehicle to the exit and the next thing you know you have someone rear-ending someone who is gawking. There is no complete safe way to handle this. The bottom line is when you are behind the wheel you are in control of that vehicle you need to take full responsibilty. People need to stop trying to entertain themselves while driving and pay attention to the road.
jennifer nunnery
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 9:25 p.m.
Also, I have never heard of "fast lanes" in any law manuel on freeways. I could be wrong but I thought the speed limit applies to all lanes of the freeway. I know it's driver's courtesy that you learn from experience or it's learned from your parents when you begin driving that the "speeder's" take the far left lane. But they are breaking the law and take the risk's involved with speeding which are more than just getting a speeding ticket. In a two lane freeway I learned the right lane is for traveling and you use the left lane for passing but you are not allowed to break the speedlimit to go around the other driver. I could be wrong but I thought the speedlimit is such.. the LIMIT. Also, troopers on the freeway are not just there to write speeding tickets. Although speeding usually is what catches the officers attention it leads to many other findings such as a drunk driver, a wanted criminal, drugs etc... Their presence and actions of enforcing the laws on the freeway helps to create a safer community. I do agree though if you are on a freeway with exits that are close by I would think it would be safer if the officer directs the driver to pull off at the exit and pull over on a side street. But keep in mind not every driver will react the same A. they panic, B. they are pissed, C. they can't hear. D. they have something to hide and are nervous... Multiple reasons create multiple scenerios.. Not every traffic stop can be handled text book style and sometimes the driver forces the officer into a situation that is not ideal.. I would like to think the officer isn't purposely putting his life at risk along with the other drivers on the road.
Soothslayer
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 8:43 p.m.
If you get in a small front end/rear end accident please pull into the next parking lot. Same goes for speeding tickets and other similar traffic violation stops. Get OFF the main road and stop in the next available parking lot or side street if there is one nearby. Too many times stops on main roads & freeways cause additional gawker slow downs and serious hazards as everyone simply MUST see what's going on! I'm guessing those folks don't read the "paper" though either. How about a new campaign "Pull it forward!". There is NO reason to stop right there in the main road if you can avoid it. The police can assess the causation of small accidents and perform the traffic stop much safer for everyone if you are off the main road. Also if you see a traffic stop on a main road or freeway be AWARE of those nearby you, slow down, use your signal and get one lane away from the traffic stop. ITS THE LAW.
jennifer nunnery
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.
It saddens me to hear some of these responses... Police officers chose their job just as we all chose our careers, yes by choice.. They do not choose to be killed by irresponsible drivers. Driving is a privelege not a right. When you choose to drive you take the huge responsibility that comes along with it. You must be alert and aware of your surroundings at ALL times. You see an emergency vehicle ahead with their lights on start slowing down and start preparing to move over. If you can't move over at least you have started slowing your speed which also creates the vehicles following to start slowing down... It's not hard nor does it cause traffic problems when done so correctly. Any problems that are created or done so by the drivers to distracted with either talking on the phone or with a passenger, distracted by looking off the road, putting makeup on, changing the radio station etc... which causes them to have a delayed response in noticing the emergency vehicle which causes them to react abruptly by either slamming on their brakes or pulling into a lane without looking. People are so quick to judge law enforcement instead of acknowledging their own shortcomings. If officers can't enforce the law on the freeway then why have any laws at all. Its a team effort we need to assist in keeping them safe while they are trying to keep us safe.
Peter Jameson
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
My mother always told me to look both ways before you walk into a crowded freeway.
Mike
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
The move over law simply transfers risk from the officer to the hapless vehicle in the fast lane when semis swing hard over to comply with this law. All of this risk is yet another reason why the speeding ticket revenue generation schemes of the state police are foolish and should stop. State police are risking their lives and those of the public to raise a little revenue with speeding tickets on I-94. The public would be better served by fewer state police performing actual safety patrols.
Frustr8ed
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 9:07 p.m.
And what about the crashes, broken down vehicles and dangerous driving? Should the police not stop to deal with these either? Methinks the gentleman doth protest too much.
Basic Bob
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 3:31 p.m.
Sadly, the "Move over or slow down" law does not apply to cyclists and pedestrians. They are not safe on either side of the fog line. I wonder what happened with the investigation of the latest incident.
Thomas
Mon, May 9, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
I agree with @Jack. Cyclists are not allowed on the freeway which is where this rule applies. And even not on the freeway, pedestrians should never be in the street unless they're crossing at a crosswalk. Else they take their chances.
Jack
Sun, May 8, 2011 : 4:33 a.m.
I believe the law applies to "stopped" vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists should not be stopped on the shoulder. And they are not allowed on freeways, which is where most fog lines are. I only wish cyclists were even half as respectful of traffic laws, pedestrians and other vehicles as are motorists.
KJMClark
Sun, May 8, 2011 : 1:26 a.m.
No, but the "must pass at a safe distance" law does. Too bad the police do nothing to enforce that.
shumom23
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
I have seen officers be beyond the fog line also and create what could be a dangerous situation for motorists . they take part of the lane and if there is alot of traffic you cannot move over and yet he is blocking the lane you are in . they the officers need to block it correctly not abuse there right to protect themselves at the risk of endangering others. there job is a dangerous one but they are being paid and chose this job !
Thomas
Mon, May 9, 2011 : 1:32 p.m.
"not abuse there right to protect themselves at the risk of endangering others" are you out of your mind? They should do whatever they need to to keep themselves safe. If you're alert while on the road, there's no reason why this should be anything more than a minor inconvenience.
jennifer nunnery
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
It saddens me to hear some of these responses... Police officers chose their job just as we all chose our careers, yes by choice.. They do not choose to be killed by irresponsible drivers. Driving is a privelege not a right. When you choose to drive you take the huge responsibility that comes along with it. You must be alert and aware of your surroundings at ALL times. You see an emergency vehicle ahead with their lights on start slowing down and start preparing to move over. If you can't move over at least you have started slowing your speed which also creates the vehicles following to start slowing down... It's not hard nor does it cause traffic problems when done so correctly. Any problems that are created or done so by the drivers to distracted with either talking on the phone or with a passenger, distracted by looking off the road, putting makeup on, changing the radio station etc... which causes them to have a delayed response in noticing the emergency vehicle which causes them to react abruptly by either slamming on their brakes or pulling into a lane without looking. People are so quick to judge law enforcement instead of acknowledging their own shortcomings. If officers can't enforce the law on the freeway then why have any laws at all. Its a team effort we need to assist in keeping them safe while they are trying to keep us safe
ChelseaBob
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 10:39 a.m.
A more interesting question is why Ann Arbor police block the roadways when writing tickets. I have seen numerous traffic backups on Washtenaw when a AAPD officer blocks a lane during rush hour to write a ticket. That creates a dangerous situation. Why not pull off on a side street?
sheeple
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
I have seen one instance where the motorist wanted to stop right there on a very busy street. This was on Crescent Blvd. in Novi. The officer got on his prowler's P.A. system and directed the motorist to pull into a lot just up ahead, where there was plenty of space. The rushing traffic that turns from Novi Rd. onto Crescent is totally nutso, so I can definitely see the logic there.
Jimmy McNulty
Sat, May 7, 2011 : 11:22 a.m.
I believe the police execute the traffic stop wherever the motorist decides to pull over, whether its a side street, or right in the lane of traffic.