Is This Officer In The Right? Pulls Driver Over For Overlooked Michigan Law

1Driver's training, for many of us, was a lifetime ago. My mom loves sharing a story about her friend driving a tractor to driver's training, much to the instructor's dismay. That's some small-town stuff right there. No matter when or where you got your lessons, what each of us learn in training is generally the same thing: the "Rules of the Road."

However, not all road rules are enforced equally. I mean, are you a true Michigander if you're actually driving the speed limit? That sentiment extends to a law that you see drivers break every single day, but may not even know is a real law rather than an unspoken rule.

You'll want to be aware, as it appears the police are cracking down, which has elicited mixed reactions online.

What Is the First Available Legal Lane Rule?

The one thing I remember from my time in driver's training was the acronym FALL: First Available Legal Lane. It was the idea that when you're turning, whether that be a basic turn, a U-turn, or more, you're supposed to turn/merge into the lane closest to you or the "first available" lane.

However, many people do not follow this rule, instead turning into the second or third lane rather than doing FALL and then switching lanes when appropriate, as is advised. That's what a police traffic unit officer in Dearborn let a driver know when he pulled them over for making an improper turn, resulting in a ticket that has the internet up in arms.

Was This Worth A Ticket?

Michigan Vehicle Code Section 257.647 states:

"A right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway...and a left turn shall be made as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway." (aka the FALL)

According to the officer, the driver showcased in this video turned into the second lane, creating a "dangerous situation" by entering traffic that was already going at the speed limit.

However, the comments section is divided on whether this was a valid reason to pull the driver over. Many are saying this is a no-brainer rule, with one person describing it as "basic driver's 101" and appreciating the officer bringing awareness to the rule. However, others believe the officer was being "dramatic" and that the driver did not create an unsafe situation, arguing that ticketing the driver was unnecessary. 

READ MORE: Top 10 Most Hated Intersections in Grand Rapids

On paper, the driver did break the law, but was it enough for the officer to intervene? Either way, now is the time to adjust your driving habits so you can make the roads safer and avoid similar situations.