CRASH HERE? What Are Michigan’s Highway Crash Investigation Sites

I can't be the only one who has passed by one of Michigan's 'CRASH INVESTIGATION SITE' signs only to notice that there's no crash and no investigation. For years, my daily commute would take me past one of these signs, where an untouched, nearly pristine piece of blacktop sat empty every single time. So, what purpose does Michigan's 'CRASH INVESTIGATION SITE' serve?

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For starters, the name CRASH INVESTIGATION SITE is misleading. While I can only speak for myself, for me, that term conjures images of detectives with magnifying glasses surrounding tire tracks and collecting evidence bags. Alas, that's not what these highway pull-off areas are for.

Michigan Crash Investigation Sites' Purpose

Also called accident investigation sites, these areas are meant to be emergency pull-off locations for vehicles involved in highway accidents. They are used to pull away from the actual crash scene so as not to impede traffic. This allows the vehicle or vehicles involved in an accident a safe place to exchange information and call the authorities if necessary.

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These areas are NOT where the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) prefers you crash, even though the signs suggest that.

So, while police officials may conduct some investigation in these areas, the name these blue signs carry would be more accurate if they were labeled 'EMERGENCY PULL-OFF AREA' instead of the confusing' CRASH INVESTIGATION SITE.'

Related: Michigan's 3 Deadliest Highways: The Trifecta of Terror

Next time you pass one of these sites, make a mental note of its location to plan where your next breakdown or freeway crash should happen, for convenience's sake.