TRAFFIC CAMPAIGN BEGINS MAY 11

May 9, 2008 – Driving defensively is not only smart, it’s the law.

From May 11 to May 24, Midland Police Department patrol officers will focus on vehicles Following Too Closely within the city of Midland.

One of the largest contributors to crashes in Midland is motorists driving too closely to other vehicles. When motorists fail to allow for an adequate reactionary and braking distance, rear-end collisions often occur.

To reduce the risk of these most common collisions, motorists must maintain adequate time and distance between their vehicle and the vehicle traveling in front of them. In normal traffic under good weather conditions, a following distance of 2-3 seconds is considered safe.

Here’s how to gauge if your vehicle is 2-3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you:

• Choose a fixed road mark, such as a pavement crack.
• Start to count as the vehicle ahead passes the road mark. You should be able to count up to three (1,001…1,002…1,003) before you pass the road mark.

The Following Too Closely traffic campaign is a pro-active approach to addressing and preventing this traffic problem. During the campaign, Midland police officers will decrease tolerance levels and increase enforcement of Michigan Motor Vehicle Code 257.643 (1), which pertains to maintaining a reasonable and prudent distance between vehicles. Violation of this law can result in a civil infraction, with a penalty of $100 and two points on a motorist’s driving record.

Midland Police Department Traffic Services are dedicated to reducing crashes, injuries, and deaths in the city of Midland. For traffic concerns or complaints, motorists may call the Midland Police Department’s Traffic Hotline at 989-839-4714.

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