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Increased enforcement targets trucks in work zones

Talking Michigan Transportation

Chapters
0:00
Work Zone Safety Crisis Overview
6:17
MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Role
10:01
Following Distance Requirements
15:12
Zipper Merge Problems
19:12
Stepped-Up Enforcement Results
22:57
Bridge Strikes and Driver Liability
25:36
Winter Concerns and Limited Resources
Talking Michigan Transportation
Increased enforcement targets trucks in work zones
Sep 19, 2025 Season 7 Episode 239
Michigan Department of Transportation

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about the Michigan State Police (MSP) deploying added enforcement in freeway work zones.

MC Lt. Jason Zylstra of MSP’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) explains why they launched special enforcement in segments with major work like the heavily traveled I-96 in Ionia County.

MSP observes that 97 percent of at-fault crashes involving large trucks and buses are caused by driver behavior.

Zylstra also discusses:

  • The need for trucks to maintain a proper distance to other vehicles.
  • The dangers of trucks blocking lanes in zipper-merge zones and why law enforcement issues citations for that behavior.
  • Special inspections for tires, equipment and other components of commercial vehicles.