Michigan roads

If you believe you’re eligible for compensation for highway-related repairs on Michigan roads and want to file a claim, here’s a rundown of the agencies that typically handle them.

Michigan has bad roads and a weak system to reimburse drivers for damages. There are plenty of easy solutions, like raising the $1,000 cap, extending the claims period. Is there political will to change?

Deteriorating roads cost drivers a total of $4.3 billion per year, but a reimbursement system for damages is skewed against drivers. Damage caps, deadlines and high burdens of proof mean most claims are denied.

Michigan’s new budget funds $5 million in research into a mileage-based tax to fund road repairs. The state will also seek federal grant funding for a pilot project.

Police say they are largely choosing to educate motorists rather than slap them with citations for the beefed-up distracted driving law that went into effect on June 30.

The rise in deadly crashes was highest in northern Michigan, but metro Detroit and the Thumb also saw jumps. Experts cite faster and more reckless driving. Look up deadly driving statistics in your area.

Michigan lawmakers included $10 million for two sections of sound walls along Interstate 75 near Troy after local residents worked for years to get relief. A statewide fix for noisy traffic could be much harder.

Just in time for travel on the long weekend, a new law goes into effect that prohibits driving while using a smartphone to talk, text, watch videos or scroll social media.