Drivers Ignore Signs on US-127 in Lansing

It's amazing that there aren't more wrecks in the construction zone along U.S. 127 in Lansing than there already are.

A reasonable person should be able to navigate the freeway without incident; however, every day proves again that not all Lansing drivers are reasonable.

Take the two-lane stretch of northbound U.S. 127 past the exit for Jolly and Dunckel Roads, for example. There are several orange signs and arrows alerting drivers that through traffic on 127 should be in the left lane and that travelers in the right lane will be forced to exit at Kalamazoo Street.

This arrow shows northbound U.S. 127 approaching the exit for Kalamazoo Street and Michigan Avenue in Lansing, Michigan. (Photos via GoogleMaps and Canva)

The Exit-Only Lane Dilemma on Northbound US-127

Forced is a bit much though, isn't it? Because even with ample signage, without fail, there will be the right-lane driver who comes around the curve and only then seems to realize that they're in an "exit only" lane for Kalamazoo Street. Suddenly, it becomes everyone else's problem to let them into the left lane to continue along 127 - often at full highway speed.

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This is dangerous, but what else can be done to mitigate the problem? If people would just read and heed the signs, we'd all be in a better place.

Merging Woes: Eastbound I-496 to Northbound US-127

But just when you think you've made it safely through the gauntlet that is 127 at Kalamazoo, there's another treacherous surprise in store - traffic merging onto northbound 127 from eastbound I-496.

This arrow points to where eastbound I-496 merges onto northbound U.S. 127 over Kalamazoo Street in Lansing, Michigan. (Photos via GoogleMaps and Canva)

The merge lane from 496 becomes an "exit only" for Saginaw Street and Grand River Avenue after a couple tenths of a mile, which means some motorists will need to work their way over eventually so that they can continue northbound along 127.

Eventually - not immediately. I'm looking at you, older blue car with the personalized plate that starts with a "D" and ends with an "R". You know who you are. Didn't even look as you almost rammed me into the retaining wall while merging from 496 straight into the lane you ultimately wanted. I'm sure it was quite a show for all the drivers behind us, but thankfully, no paint was traded and no one was hurt.

The Importance of Heeding Road Signs

It all comes down to reading, really. Read the signs along the road. Read the Michigan Secretary of State's handy-dandy guide to "What Every Driver Must Know". If you can't follow the simplest rules of the road, perhaps it's best to stay off the highway.

Every Interstate Highway in Michigan Has Quirks - Here They Are

Roads are intended to get you from here to there. And very few people think about the quirks of our interstate highway system. With being as long and as varied as it is, there is bound to be an oddity or two - and in fact, you can likely find a quirk with every interstate in Michigan. We think we have.

Gallery Credit: Eric Meier

These Michigan Highways Come to a Complete Dead End

Nearly all highways exist to connect you from one place to another. When you come to the end of the road, there's almost always somewhere else to go. Somewhere to turn. But there are parts of Michigan's highway system that don't leave you anywhere else to go - Michigan's dead end state highways.

Gallery Credit: Eric Meier