Bloomfield Township fines 140 drivers for turns

Drivers in Bloomfield Township are paying a steep price for ignoring no-left-turn signs near the Hickory Grove subdivision. Police issued more than 140 citations in less than a week.

The restrictions apply to eastbound Hickory Grove Road at three specific intersections: Rambling Way, Courville Drive, and Aspen Lane. The limits are in effect during morning and evening rush hours. Officials installed the signs over the summer, but residents report that many drivers continue to turn left anyway.

Susan Calhoun, a local resident, said she welcomed the recent surge in enforcement. She described the morning before the interview as a busy time for officers pulling over vehicles. Calhoun stated that drivers are not paying attention to the posted signs.

Michelle Gikas, another resident, linked the increase in illegal turns to recent changes in regional traffic patterns. She noted that the closure of I-696 pushed more drivers to exit at Telegraph Road. These drivers then use neighborhood streets as a shortcut to reach I-75. Gikas pointed out that the area lacks sidewalks, which creates safety hazards for children waiting at bus stops.

Bloomfield Township Police Officer Sean Manor confirmed that the heavier traffic volume increases the likelihood of accidents. He explained that earlier enforcement focused on issuing warnings. Officers have shifted to issuing citations to make the rules clearer. Manor addressed a common excuse from drivers who claim their GPS directed them to turn left. He emphasized that drivers remain responsible for following posted signs.

Eric Griffin, a neighbor, observed that traffic has slowed somewhat since the signs went up. He said drivers have not yet fully adapted to the new rules. Each citation carries a $125 fine and adds two points to the driver's record. Police stated they will continue enforcing the restrictions in the coming weeks.

Gikas offered a direct warning to motorists who still make the illegal turns. She advised drivers to avoid the maneuver to protect both their safety and their finances. The township plans to maintain the current level of enforcement.