What you need to know about curves and safety.
Anyone visiting Michigan for the first time will have many questions, from why they keep seeing those references to Coney Island to exactly how many flavors Faygo makes.
They may also be wondering why they are being told not to turn left at some busy intersections in metro Detroit and other parts of the state. In other words, they may be wondering what the left has to say in Michigan.
What is a Michigan Left?
We rely on the Michigan Department of Transportation to provide the most definitive answers to our questions about the Michigan Left. Here is the Department of Transportation’s definition:
“Michigan lefts, also called indirect left turns, are a common type of turn that has been part of Michigan’s road system since the late 1960s. Intersections with Michigan lefts do not allow traditional left-turn movements. To turn left, one must instead proceed straight through the intersection or turn right and then turn around at a median crossing.”
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Why should I turn right to turn left?
Safety is the key word. Michigan Lefts reroutes traffic to avoid left turns across oncoming traffic, which tends to increase the risk of a serious crash. According to MDOT, about 30% of all crashes in Michigan occur at intersections, and nearly 58% of those are frontal left-turn and banked crashes. “In addition, about 30% of all fatal crashes in Michigan occur at intersections.”
Why choose a specific location for Michigan Left?
MDOT points to accident history, road type and traffic volume. “Left turns in Michigan are most commonly used in urban situations where congestion and accidents are more common. Indirect left turns can be built on divided roads with any number of lanes…but they are not used on freeways or expressways.”
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Should I stop behind or to the side of the vehicle in front of me on a Michigan Left turn?
That depends on how many lanes you see. According to MDOT, a single-lane Michigan Left is not designed for more than one lane. The extra space you sometimes see is for trucks and large vehicles that need more room to turn. Sometimes a Michigan Left is paired with a loon, an extension of the roadway opposite the turning area to allow large trucks to turn without rolling onto the pavement. There are multi-lane Michigan Lefts, but they provide clearly marked lanes, not just more space.
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What about cyclists?
MDOT says cyclists have several options here. “Cyclists can use the Michigan Left as pedestrians by dismounting from the bike and crossing the street in the pedestrian area, or ride through the Michigan Left as a cyclist and use the designated median crossing to make a U-turn.”
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If you would like more information on Michigan Lefts, MDOT has published a brochure at https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/MDOT/Travel/Safety/Road-User/Michigan-Lefts/Michigan-Left-Brochure.pdf?rev=e4bea28e194e4070b973db40e5f610ce#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Michigan%20Left,allow%20traditional%20left%2Dturn%20movements.
By the way, we took a quick look at the Faygo website and it says there are more than 50 flavors. Hey, editors, maybe it’s time for a taste test.
Contact Eric D. Lawrence: [email protected]. Become a subscriber. Send a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
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