by "SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
Published 05/11/2017 at 09:00
by "SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
Published 05/11/2017 at 09:00
No Tags
STARS: 4
We’ve all been told about things which are “against the law” while driving - which seem like they might be - but aren’t. But how would you know? Did you ever look it up or ask an attorney? I go over a bunch of these in this week’s podcast.
I had actually done a whole column on this a while back and I seem to recall it got some reaction. People hate to be told their deeply held beliefs are wrong - even when it is not in matters of religion.
Driving barefoot? Making u-turns when the mood hits? Wearing headphones and using a suicide knob? Knock yourself out - as they say - in most states.
Those and more are this week’s podcast. The audio:
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And the video:
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Follow me on Twitter: @stevelehto
Hear my podcast on iTunes: Lehto’s Law
Steve Lehto has been practicing law for 25 years, almost exclusively in consumer protection and Michigan lemon law. He wrote The Lemon Law Bible and Preston Tucker and His Battle to Build the Car of Tomorrow.
This website may supply general information about the law but it is for informational purposes only. This does not create an attorney-client relationship and is not meant to constitute legal advice, so the good news is we’re not billing you by the hour for reading this. The bad news is that you shouldn’t act upon any of the information without consulting a qualified professional attorney who will, probably, bill you by the hour.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
05/11/2017 at 09:57, STARS: 0
In my town you can’t drive naked.
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"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
05/11/2017 at 09:58, STARS: 0
Local ordinance? I suspect that would get you in trouble in most places. There wouldn’t need to be a traffic law per se; they’d just say that if you could be seen from outside the car you were indecently exposed or some such.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
05/11/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 1
I was just joking. This podcast reminded me of the line in that song. I’m sure if someone could see you they’d get you for indecent exposure or something similar.
"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
05/11/2017 at 10:09, STARS: 2
After starting my dashcam youtube channel I did a LOT of research into what’s legal or not in my state. Lots of things I was always TOLD was illegal were actually not, and vice versa.
And its nice to know I am right or wrong when I’m presenting video evidence to the masses.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
05/11/2017 at 10:21, STARS: 0
A while back, I stumbled upon a MSP document that goes over things like this, and was blown away by how wrong my preconceptions were.
I was particularly surprised to find that “dark signals” (power outage) do NOT become four-way stops, despite what you hear on the radio. It’s more like a four-way yield , really.
Is there still a place where MSP likes to chime in on FAQ? MLive used to have their “ Ask a Trooper ” column, but there haven’t been any recent updates.
"jimz" (jimz)
05/11/2017 at 10:22, STARS: 0
- what’s the “positive” version of “de-bunked?” I’ve never heard anything referred to as “bunked” or “sufficiently bunked.”
- You’re a Mopar guy, and you said “Posi-traction” instead of Sure-Grip? I AM DISAPPOINT.
"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
05/11/2017 at 10:31, STARS: 0
I think they’re still out there, on the MSP site maybe. The 4-way stop/yield thing though - it’s SAFER if you treat it as a stop. I don’t care what the law says.
"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
05/11/2017 at 10:32, STARS: 0
No one knows what Sure Grip is - Posi is like xerox or kleenex as far as I’m concerned.
Debunked is like disgruntled. There are quite a few of those.
"jariten1781" (jariten1781)
05/11/2017 at 10:36, STARS: 1
Debunk is the positive version. If something is ‘bunk’ it’s nonsense or irrelevant. The history behind it is kind of humorous...IIRC back in the 19th century some representative in the House wanted to make a speech on the floor so that he could issue a press release stating he’d argued for his county (which was named Bunk-something-something) but he didn’t really have anything to say so he just rambled a bunch of nonsense. Caught hold in the papers at the time and leads to the phrase ‘That’s bunk’ as a response to a nonsense argument.
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
05/11/2017 at 10:36, STARS: 1
Yeah, it’s not a distinction that comes in handy very often. If there’s enough traffic (and there usually is during such outages), you’re probably going to have to stop anyway while waiting for your turn to go.
"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
05/11/2017 at 10:40, STARS: 0
The bigger quesion is: Will Michigan drivers EVER understand how roundabouts work?
Every time I come to one there is at least one idiot who stops before entering (when unnecessary), waits a while, and then enters way too slowly, unsure of what they are trying to do.
I’ve seen them work in Europe and the Carribbean so maybe it is just a learning curve for the populace? But how long is the curve?
"npc58501" (npc58501)
05/11/2017 at 10:49, STARS: 0
A 4-way yield in heavy traffic from all sides in ideal conditions becomes a de facto 4-way stop. Technically in MI, State Hwys must have its minor crossroad yield the ROW in this situation.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
05/11/2017 at 10:51, STARS: 1
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"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
05/11/2017 at 10:51, STARS: 1
Haha, yeah, maybe the state should do a bigger education campaign on that. Roundabouts are actually super easy to understand once you get the hang of it. But we won’t get that free-flowing benefit until everybody gets with the program.
"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
05/11/2017 at 10:51, STARS: 0
It’s a round about, so the curve is endless.....
hence the confusion
ha ha
"jimz" (jimz)
05/11/2017 at 10:53, STARS: 2
honestly I love roundabouts. the big one at Van Dyke and 18-1/2 Mile in Macomb County solved a lot of problems. The occasional issue I have with other drivers is ones who don’t respect the whole “yield to traffic in the circle” rule. I once (at the Van Dyke one) had a truck driver just barge into it while I was coming around the circle, as he pointed at me as if to tell me to stop. As if truck drivers weren’t such self-absorbed, hero-worship-wanting jackasses as it is.
However, there is one terrible roundabout, and it’s the one which was put in at 14 Mile and Orchard Lake. You’d think it’d be the perfect candidate, what with the convergence of 14 Mile, Orchard Lake Rd. and Northwestern Highway. But no, they put in the roundabout joining 14 and Orchard Lake, but left the signaled intersection at M-10 just north of it. So when northbound traffic stops at that signal, it backs up into the roundabout.
"You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn)
05/11/2017 at 11:01, STARS: 1
Back when I was in high school there was a car load of people riding around naked in a snow storm, but unfortunately they went off the road and got stuck. I don’t remember any other details. It was just one of those things you hear on the radio in the background and go “really?”
"haveacarortwoorthree2" (haveacarortwoorthree2)
05/11/2017 at 11:43, STARS: 1
I was just in here gettin my car checked, he just appeared
out of the traffic. Come streakin’ around the grease rack there, didn’t
have nothin’ on but a smile.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
05/11/2017 at 13:24, STARS: 1
Louisiana law explicitly states that dark signals are to be treated as four-way stops.
http://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/2011/rs/title32/rs32-232-1
“2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 32 — Motor vehicles and traffic regulation
RS 32:232.1 — Vehicle approaching intersection in which traffic lights are inoperative
Universal Citation: LA Rev Stat § 32:232.1
§232.1. Vehicle approaching intersection in which traffic lights are inoperative
A. Unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, when a traffic control signal is not functioning at an intersection, and the signal lights are completely dark, the intersection shall revert to an all-way stop and traffic shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 32:121(A).
B. Unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, when a traffic control signal is flashing yellow, it shall be treated as a “caution” sign in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 32:234.
C. Unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, when a traffic control signal is flashing red, it shall be treated as a stop sign in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 32:234.
Acts 1999, No. 1145, §1; Acts 2010, No. 259, §1, eff. June 17, 2010.”
"Urambo Tauro" (urambotauro)
05/11/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 0
Props for looking it up! It would have been a mistake to assume that our states had the exact same law.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
05/11/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 2
Never happen. Tallmadge Circle in NE Ohio has been there for about 200 years and people still don’t know how to use it. This morning I drove two roundabouts and cars were stopped at three spurs so I just went right through after slowing.
"3point0hyeahhh" (3point0hyeahhh)
06/02/2017 at 20:24, STARS: 0
Hey Steve, quick question on traffic law. Laser/lidar gun used to clock me for speeding is rated by the manufacturer for a maximum distance of 2000 feet. Ticket states I was clocked at a distance of 2004 feet. I work in compliance, out of spec is out of spec. Theres no gray area, specs are specs. Is this grounds enough for the ticket to be dropped? I’ll be getting a lawyer regardless, but I’m curious to hear your opinion.
"SteveLehto" (stevelehto)
06/03/2017 at 12:29, STARS: 0
It’s an argument but you never know. I’ve seen courts completely ignore stuff like this.