West Michigan Drivers Keep Breaking This Traffic Law, and It Needs to Stop

West Michigan, we need to have a serious conversation. I don't know what has transpired over the past few weeks or months, but it seems that many of us have forgotten about a very important traffic rule - and we need to fix this problem ASAP.

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I would say that this is a public service announcement, but that would be a misnomer. This is a rant, plain and simple. I've noticed some behavior recently that I just can't keep quiet about anymore.

Why Downtown Grand Rapids Traffic Feels Worse Lately

This may very well just be a me thing. I work and spend a lot of time in Downtown Grand Rapids, so when driving habits change, I tend to notice. This could all be because there has been an influx of traffic downtown over the past few months due to concerts at the arena and the amphitheater, festivals happening at Calder Plaza, and ArtPrize taking over the entire city. Or it could be that we've lost our collective minds.

READ MORE: Yes, It's Illegal to Block Traffic While Waiting For The Drive-Thru in Michigan

So, just so you know...

It's Illegal to Block an Intersection in the State of Michigan

That's right, it's not just annoying to other people on the road; it's actually against Michigan law.

Michigan Admin Code R. 28.1438 Rule 438 clearly states:

(1) A driver shall not enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he or she is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic-control signal indication to proceed. (2) A person who violates this rule is responsible for a civil infraction.

I get it, we all have places to go, but lately I've been seeing an inordinate number of people just straight-up blocking intersections like it's a perfectly normal and acceptable thing to do. It's not, for the record. Yes, normally green means go, but in some cases it doesn't.

The Grand Rapids Intersection Where Drivers Keep Blocking Traffic

I've primarily witnessed this infuriating behavior at one specific intersection. The intersection of the I-196 off-ramps, Ottawa Ave., and Michigan St. coming into downtown.

Google Maps

It can be a tricky little intersection to navigate, for sure, but that doesn't mean that we can all just disregard a basic traffic law.

A 17-Minute Wait to Turn Left on Ottawa Avenue

The other day, I was driving into downtown on Michigan St., heading west. I moved into the lane to turn left onto Ottawa Ave. to make my way to our office. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I sat in that lane waiting to turn for 17 minutes. How many light cycles was that? I don't know! I lost count right around the time that I had basically decided that I just lived in that lane for the rest of eternity. Why did I sit there for so long?

I'll let this photo answer the question for me.

Wendy Reed/Townsquare Media

What to Do If You Can't Clear The Intersection

I understand that sometimes it's hard to avoid - you can make a turn not realizing that the lane is full. But this has been happening daily, so it's not just an "oopsie" moment. It's blatant disregard for the law. As a general rule of thumb, always wait at the stop line until you know that there's room for you to clear the intersection.