LANSING, Mich. – In a press conference on Tuesday, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and Lansing Police Department (LPD) Chief Robert Backus discussed their ongoing efforts to address the growing issue of reckless driving, especially in light of a devastating five-car crash that occurred last Thursday.
Although officials were still unaware at the time of the press conference that one of the individuals involved had passed away, the tragedy has sparked concern among Lansing residents, who are calling for more action to prevent such incidents in the future.
Mayor Schor expressed his frustration with the situation, stating that while he is “angry” about the crash, solving the problem of reckless driving is not a straightforward task. “We have just seen folks that are going way too fast on all of our streets,” Schor remarked, urging the public to call 911 when they observe excessive speeding. “It’s dangerous, and our cops want to hear it.”
Chief Backus, who also spoke at the press conference, emphasized the staffing challenges facing the LPD’s traffic unit. The department is currently short-handed, with only four officers assigned to the traffic unit, well below the ideal number of six officers and a sergeant. “They’re not fully staffed,” Backus said, highlighting the difficulty in effectively addressing traffic violations with limited resources.
Both Schor and Backus acknowledged the broader issue of police staffing shortages, which is a challenge faced by many cities across the country, but they agreed that reckless driving remains a serious concern in Lansing.
One potential solution Schor suggested is the implementation of red light cameras, which could monitor both speeding and instances of drivers running red lights. These cameras, he said, could help deter reckless driving and improve public safety. “One of the best solutions right now are what are called red light cameras,” Schor explained. “You put a camera on a traffic light, and the camera can gauge speed, can gauge if a car blows through a red light.”
The crash that prompted this discussion occurred on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., a road under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Schor pointed out that any changes to the speed limit on the road would need to be made at the state level, but he stressed that local actions, such as the introduction of red light cameras, could still make a difference.
According to LPD records, 203 traffic tickets have been issued in the vicinity of the crash this year, with a total of 126 citations for reckless or careless driving issued across Lansing since 2023. Chief Backus reminded the public of the serious consequences of reckless driving. “I just think this is 2 people that made a horrible decision, and it affected the lives of 11 other people,” he said, referring to the tragic impact the crash had on all involved.
The investigation into last Thursday’s crash is ongoing, and officials have indicated that further details are needed before potential prosecution can take place.
As the city grapples with these issues, residents continue to voice their concerns over the dangers posed by reckless driving and the need for more robust measures to ensure road safety.
