Show All Answers

1. On my street there seems to be an excessive amount of speeding or other traffic problems. How do I request extra traffic enforcement?

If you are calling about an event currently happening, you should call 911. If it is an on-going traffic problem or your issue is not of an urgent nature, please call the police department's Traffic Hotline at 989-839-4714.
Information that is helpful in resolving the traffic problem includes:

• Where exactly the problem is occurring.
• The time of day or which days of the week the problem is occurring.
• Any information you can provide about the driver and vehicle.

2. I know of a traffic light that is not operating properly or a sign that is knocked down, who do I contact?

Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, you may call the City of Midland Signs and Signals Department at 989-837-6945. If it is ‘after hours’, please call 911 to report the problem.

3. I have a suggestion to improve traffic safety in a particular area of the city. Who would I contact for that suggestion?

You can call either the Midland City Engineering Department at 989-837-3348, or you may call the Patrol Shift Supervisor at 989-839-4713; the supervisor will pass your suggestion to the Police Department Traffic Safety Team.

4. I received a ticket for a traffic violation, how do I take care of it?

There are two types of traffic violation tickets that you can receive: a civil infraction and a misdemeanor. Once a civil infraction ticket has been issued, the matter is between you and the 75th District Court. You must contact the court at 301 W. Main St., Midland MI 989-832-6714. As described on the back of your civil infraction citation (ticket) you have three options:

• Admit responsibility by mail, in person, or by representation within 14 days but not before 3 working days of issuance of the citation.
• Admit responsibility with explanation of the circumstances of the violation, which the court may consider in determining the amount of the fine and costs. You may admit responsibility with explanation by mail, in person, or by representation within 14 days but not before 3 working days of issuance of the citation.
• Deny responsibility by contacting the court within 14 days but not before 3 working days of issuance of the citation to either
• Appear in person in court for an informal hearing before a magistrate, referee, or judge; neither side may have an attorney, OR
• Appear in court for a formal hearing before a judge. An attorney will be with the officer. You may be represented by an attorney.
• If you received a misdemeanor traffic citation/ticket you must contact the 75th District Court at 301 W. Main, Midland, MI 48640, (989) 832-6714. The court will advise you of an appearance date (if necessary) and the fines involved with the offense.

5. What are the fines and points given for specific moving violations?

View the Point and Fine Schedule. Points cannot be reduced or deferred. They are set by the Michigan Legislature.

6. Upon my request, does a police officer have to show me the radar used to “clock” me?

A police officer is not obligated to show a motorist the radar during a traffic stop or at any other time. A police officer does have to follow a set of guidelines that were established in 1985 by the Michigan Speed Measurement Task Force. These standards are designed to ensure fairness and protection to the motorist. This ensures that an officer who is unfamiliar with the operation of a radar unit does not wrongly accuse a motorist of speeding.

7. Where can I get a copy of the traffic laws?

The Secretary of State maintains the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, which contains the state laws concerning the “Rules of the Road” in Michigan. You can either contact the Secretary of State to obtain a “hard copy” of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, go online to the Motor Vehicle Code for “Michigan Compiled Laws”.

8. What should I do when I get involved in an accident?

Please do the following:

• If not injured, see if you can help any injured parties. Call 911.
• After a crash, you should move your vehicle to the side of the roadway to allow other traffic to flow.
• If you have damage of $1,000 or more and the accident occurred on a public roadway, you are required by law to report the crash to the nearest police department.
• If there is under $1,000 in damage, an accident report is not required and you may work it out with the other driver.
• When the police arrive, they will need your Driver's License, Vehicle Registration and Proof of Insurance.
• If your vehicle is not drivable, a wrecker will be called.

9. What should I do if a police officer stops me in my car?

Please do the following:

• First and foremost, you should pull your vehicle over to the side of the roadway immediately. You will normally be asked for your license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. You should know where these items are and provide them to the officer upon request.
• Since the officer does not know you - just as you don’t know the officer - there is an atmosphere of caution that the officer will want to maintain.
• Minimize the amount of movement in your vehicle.
• Do not exit the vehicle unless directed to do so.
• Be honest and direct in your conversation.

10. What are the parking ordinances and fines in the city of Midland?

View the violations and related fees.