Tom Greenwood: Commuting

Dangling-objects law riles readers

Tweet-tweet.

No, this isn't another story about the ubiquitous Twitter Web site.

This is in reference to the Tweety Bird column I wrote recently. That column got many of you revved up; I heard from dozens of you. That's why I am sharing your responses today.

Here's some background before I get to the responses: The Court of Appeals recently upheld a Michigan law that outlaws objects (of any size) dangling from the rearview mirror.

The law was in legal limbo for a while when the court ruled that the law was too vague and gave police too much power in pulling over motorists who had objects swaying from their mirrors.

In 2007 Westland police pulled over a driver who had a "Tweety-Bird air freshener hanging from his rearview mirror. During the stop they discovered that the unlicensed ex-con driver had a loaded handgun, cocaine and an open bottle of liquor in the car with him.

His attorney fought the charges based on the premise that the dangling object law was vague and unconstitutional, and the court agreed with him.

At least for a little while.

After a couple of weeks the court suspended its decision and said it would revisit the question. After talking it over with Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, the court again ruled that the law was spot on, which sent the Tweety Bird defense down in flames.

Here's what a couple of you said about the situation:

"People drive around with DVD players running, talking and texting on their phone and while paying attention to the ever popular GPS device. If those things are not considered a distraction, then I don't understand how this law could be enforced." -- Jason Lucas

Ken Van Dellen, Grosse Pointe Park, said, "That law seems to be rather poorly enforced. I'm of the opinion that drivers may have more respect for the law if they are clearly told when, where and what to do."

On a final note, many readers contacted me to point out that probably the largest group of drivers to break the dangling object law are motorists who had handicapped placards hanging from their rearview mirrors.

They stated, correctly, that the placards are supposed to be displayed from the mirror only when the vehicle is parked. It is illegal for the placard to be hanging from the rearview mirror when the vehicle is being driven.

Commuting greenwood@detnews.com (313) 222-2023