Beware of Construction Zone Speed and Scams on Fourth of July

It’s the 4th of July weekend and some of us will be getting together with our families and friends, others will be traveling to their favorite campground and some of us will be staying home.  Whatever your plans are we hope you have a great weekend and take a moment to remind ourselves why the United States of America is great country.  It’s a great country, not because of any one individual or group but a great country because of us…  

Michael Lenninger, of Livingston County, is confused by the different speed limit signs in the I-96 at Latson Road construction zone.  As a driver enters the construction zone, they will see a speed limit sign advising the speed limit is 60 mph, then shortly after that sign a driver will see another speed limit sign advising the speed limit is “45 mph when workers are present.”

Clarification is found in MCL 257.627(9) which states, in-part, “ A person operating a vehicle on a highway, when entering and passing through a work zone …  where a normal lane or part of the lane of traffic has been closed due to highway construction, maintenance, or surveying activities, shall not exceed a speed of 45 miles per hour unless a different speed limit is determined for that work zone by the state transportation department, a county road commission, or a local authority, based on accepted engineering practice. The state transportation department, a county road commission, or a local authority shall post speed limit signs in each work zone … that indicate the speed limit in that work zone and shall identify that work zone with any other traffic control devices necessary to conform to the Michigan manual of uniform traffic control devices. A person shall not exceed a speed limit established under this section...”

The construction zone at I-96 and Latson Road is a very large and periodically the work requires a traffic lane to be closed for road construction work.  When that happens the “45 mph where workers are present” signs will be put up.  The key to the placement of these signs is the closure of a traffic lane.  

Within the past week I have been contacted by three individuals regarding two different telephone scams.  One scam is a will call and advise they are from a computer company and claim your computer has been infected with a virus.   The scammer will then tell you they need to download a program so the scammer can remotely access your computer and supposedly fix the problem.  If you allow this to happen the scammer will be able to access all your computer files and information.  

The second telephone scam is a person calls and tells you they are from a local pharmacy and ask for personal information.   The scammer is seeking personal information to steal your identity.  

If the scammers keep calling and demanding information, advise them you are making a complaint with the police.  I’ve advised people to have the scammers call me at the Michigan State Police – Brighton Post.  Funny they never call me.

If you have a questions or comments please email them to askatrooper12@gmail.com, or mail them to Ask A Trooper, Michigan State Police – Brighton Post, 4337 Buno Road, Brighton, MI  48116.