Subdivision Roadway Draws 140 Fines in Five Days as I-696 Closures Drive Traffic
Bloomfield Township officers cited drivers $125 each for ignoring no-left-turn signs near Hickory Grove Road, a surge linked to highway detours.
By Luca Harrison ·
More than 140 drivers received citations in less than a week for illegal left turns near the Hickory Grove subdivision.
Police deployed officers to the eastbound Hickory Grove Road at the intersections with Rambling Way, Courville Drive, and Aspen Lane. The no-left-turn restrictions apply during morning and evening rush hours. Signs were installed over the summer, but enforcement was limited to warnings initially.
Resident Susan Calhoun observed a high volume of vehicles being stopped yesterday morning. "Absolutely love it, yesterday morning was just open field day," Calhoun said. She noted that drivers frequently miss the signage.
The traffic volume increased after the closure of Interstate 696. Driver Michelle Gikas stated that vehicles exit on Telegraph Road and use the neighborhood streets to reach Interstate 75. The lack of sidewalks in the area has raised safety concerns for children.
"Security, safety of the kids, because there's no sidewalks, bus stops where they have to stand in the street to be picked up," Gikas said.
Bloomfield Township Police Officer Sean Manor said residents expressed fear of being struck by passing cars. Manor explained that while some drivers claim their GPS instructed the turn, the driver remains responsible for following posted signs.
Each citation carries a $125 fine and two points on the driver's record. Resident Eric Griffin observed that traffic has slowed slightly since the signs were posted, but he believes many motorists still do not understand the restriction. Police stated that enforcement efforts will continue.
Officer Manor said the shift from warnings to citations reflects the growing volume of vehicles using the residential roads as a shortcut during peak commuting hours.
