Mark Your Calendars For The 24th Woodward Dream Cruise!

In Metro Detroit, the beginning of August means it’s almost that time of year again - time to cruise Woodward Avenue! According to The Detroit Free Press, The Woodward Dream Cruise is, “the world’s biggest one-day car event on the nation’s signature cruising highway, M-1.” For the 24th year, the Woodward Dream Cruise will take place on Saturday August 18, 2018 from 9 AM to 9 PM. Each year, over 1 million Michigan residents and car enthusiasts from across the country head to Metro Detroit to check out, “more than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles.”

The Dream Cruise takes place across 16 miles of Woodward Avenue from Ferndale to Pontiac, as reported by Crain’s Detroit. While it’s a day to admire and enjoy vehicles of every model, make, and color, navigating around the Dream Cruise can be highly frustrating for visitors as well as local residents, because of the heavy traffic. Finding nearby parking can also be an equally difficult task for the thousands of individuals that choose to enjoy the Dream Cruise on foot or in a lawn chair along Woodward Avenue. Below are some tips courtesy of The Detroit Free Press, to help drivers stay safe and get the most fun out of the Dream Cruise this year!

Guide to the Woodward Dream Cruise

  • Where to park:
    • Berkley: Downtown in municipal lots or on side streets adjoining Woodward. No public parking areas near Woodward, no overnight parking.
    • Birmingham: Five city parking decks, first two hours free.
    • Bloomfield Township: 36700 Woodward for $5.
    • Ferndale: Metered city parking lots are metered surrounding downtown at Woodward and Nine Mile Road.
    • Huntington Woods: Parking areas on Woodward have been leased by car clubs or reserved for city residents’ activities. No public parking near Woodward.
    • Pleasant Ridge: On side streets adjoining Woodward but no public parking areas near Woodward. Overnight parking is not permitted.
    • Pontiac: Downtown and surrounding areas.
    • Royal Oak: At municipal parking lots in the downtown area and walking distance from Woodward.
  • For the best way to get there, take roadways roughly parallel to Woodward Avenue — like Coolidge, Southfield, Crooks, Greenfield and I-75. DON'T try to exit I-696 at Woodward and think you'll get anywhere quickly on Woodward.
  • Take a water bottle. It's always hot out there, and the lines can be long even if you have money to spend.
  • Wear a hat. What'd we say about the heat? Also apply sunscreen on all family members.
  • Go early. People always seem to enjoy watching, and cruising, early in the day. Parking, too, is immensely easier at 7 a.m. than three hours later.
  • Stay totally sober. That is, if you plan to drive and don't want to be arrested. The Dream Cruise is crawling with cops. And that's a good thing -- because the event has never had a serious accident or injury, not since it began as a fundraiser for a children's soccer field in 1995. Police from numerous cities will be up and down Woodward, on foot as well as astride motorcycles and inside patrol cars. If you try to imbibe in public, you'll be asked to "pour it out." No drinking is allowed outside the bounds of the cruise strip's bars and restaurants.

The Woodward Dream Cruise shows off how special cars and car culture are in Michigan, the state that is known for its automotive industry. While it’s a weekend full of celebration, it’s important to keep in mind that cars and alcohol do not mix! Spectators can enjoy the event with alcohol, however they should not attempt to drink outside of the surrounding bars and restaurants, nor should they drive while intoxicated. The risk of car accidents and pedestrian accidents occurring will be high with the volume of attendants expected, so even if staying sober, drivers and pedestrians should take cautionary safety measures.

As August 18th approaches, The Michigan Law Firm, PC wants to encourage motor vehicle safety at all times for both spectators and drivers. While it’s a classic Michigan summer event, The Woodward Dream Cruise attracts over 1,000,000 visitors, and their vehicles, to Metro Detroit each year, creating the potential for serious car crashes and pedestrian accidents to occur. In fact, last year during the Woodward Dream Cruise an 18 year old man driving a 2015 Corvette lost control while drag racing and hit a 1954 Chevy pickup. According to Hometown Life, the couple from Ohio who owned the pickup were not hurt, however they were unable to showcase their truck as they had planned. If drivers use caution during the event, these accidents may be prevented. Thankfully, in 24 years there has never been a serious accident or injury occur during the event, but that doesn’t mean that car accidents won’t happen this year. The Woodward Dream Cruise should continue to be an accident-free day dedicated to admiring the thousands of motor vehicle that drive by, from muscle cars to hot rods, and having a great time with family and friends!

There’s something special about motor vehicles that captivates the attention of Michiganders, as well as other individuals across the country. Whether it’s the freedom that a car provides, the intricate detail of each vehicle design, or the wide variety of makes and models, The Woodward Dream Cruise is a day to commemorate everything amazing about cars! But with so many people wanting to join in on the celebration, the risk of  car accidents or pedestrian accidents increases. It’s important for drivers and pedestrians to be aware of the risk of car crashes and to make sure to keep their safety and the safety of other visitors in mind. If you or someone you know has been hit with a car or been in a car accident, contact The Michigan Law Firm, PC. Our experienced accident attorneys help car accident victims identify and recover any benefits they may be entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844-844.4MI.FIRM for a free legal consultation.

Investigations Launched After Michigan Cop Is Not Penalized For Drunk Driving

An off-duty Michigan police officer was caught drunk driving, and now he and the officer who stopped him are both facing repercussions. 

According to the Detroit Free Press, early on November 9, 2017, at approximately 12:30 AM, an off-duty Roseville police officer was stopped for attempting to travel south in northbound traffic on Woodward Ave. The Roseville officer was pulled over by a Ferndale officer, and while the Roseville officer allegedly appeared to be drunk, he was not given a breathalyzer, nor was he ticketed or arrested. Instead, the Ferndale officer called his supervisor, and was told to drive the Roseville officer, as well as his passenger, back to the station in Ferndale. Once at the Ferndale station, a Ferndale lieutenant drove the Roseville officer and his passenger home.

Many view this as a case of special treatment-since the drunk driver was a cop, and was not breathalyzed, ticketed, or arrested. Instead, his transgressions were ignored and he was given a ride home. As a result, WXYZ Detroit reported that both Roseville and Ferndale police departments launched internal investigations into the incident on November 17, 2017. More so, the Ferndale Police Department submitted the incident to the city attorney for possible criminal charges. The Roseville officer, should he be charged, would be facing an Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) charge. The Roseville officer is currently suspended without pay, and the names of the officers involved are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing.

The Ferndale police department says that some discretion is always involved whenever a driver is pulled over, and that not all drunk drivers are ticketed or arrested. Ferndale Police Chief Collins said in a statement that, “our jobs are complex and we trust our people to use sound judgment. When somebody makes a call that is unsafe or not indicative of the department’s values and operations, we take that seriously and we act accordingly.”

The Roseville police department will be undergoing a drunk driving education program. Roseville Police Chief Berlin said in a statement, “in this day in age for anyone to drive drunk surprises me; there is a whole list of options to get home like Uber and Lyft. As a police officer you know the consequences. The lack of judgment surprised me."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2,912 people were killed by a drunk driver between 2003 and 2012 in the state of Michigan. Michigan legislature states that it is illegal to drive while intoxicated, or impaired, by alcohol, illegal drugs, and some prescribed medication, and with a bodily alcohol content of 0.08 or more.

Roseville Police Chief Berlin is right-there are plenty of alternatives to drunk driving. By using a ridesharing app like Uber or Lyft, prearranging a designated driver, using public transportation, or calling a taxi, or having any way of getting home that doesn’t involve a drunk person getting behind the wheel, is the best way to avoid getting into a drunk driving car accident. Drunk driving is never OK, and no one should be able to avoid the consequences of committing such an avoidable crime. Drunk driving is a danger to every car and person on the road.

Drunk driving can not only lead to extremely dangerous car accidents, but is also illegal. If you or a loved one have been involved in a drunk driving car crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free legal cosultation.

The 23rd Annual Woodward Dream Cruise Is Coming Up!

Residents and visitors to the Motor City are rejoicing as one of Metro Detroit’s most famous events is quickly approaching. The 23rd annual Woodward Dream Cruise will take place on Saturday, August 19th, 2017. For the first time, the Woodward Dream Cruise will be sponsored by Ford Motor Company because General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet brand discretely dropped their sponsorship after 6 years. Mark LaNeve, Vice President of US marketing sales and services for Ford, told the Detroit News, “(The) Dream Cruise is all about the sheer joy and freedom of the automobile, and Ford has always celebrated car culture. From Fiesta to GT, we’re obsessed with making driving fun, and we’re committed to celebrating that passion with enthusiasts of all ages in the birthplace of motoring.” 

The Dream Cruise originated as a fundraiser for a soccer field in Ferndale in 1995. Nelson House and a group of volunteers were hoping to recreate the old school car heydays of the 1950s and 1960s on Woodward Avenue, which was America’s first highway. To House's surprise, 250,000 people showed up! That was 10 times the expected number! Today, the Woodward Dream Cruise has evolved into the world’s largest one-day automotive event. The Detroit News describes how “spectators and cruisers travel to Metro Detroit, the birthplace of the American automobile, to demonstrate and participate in an event that celebrates an ongoing love affair with the automobile.”

The popularity of the yearly event only confirms the passion for old cars and connections to the auto industry’s long history that people everywhere enjoy. Each year, the Woodward Dream Cruise contributes $237 million to southeast Michigan's economy, along with attracting more than 1.3 million people to the event. The Detroit Free Press says 28% of these visitors are from outside the region. What keeps spectators coming back from more is the consistency of the old cars combined with the latest in motor vehicle technology.

President and CEO of the Dream Cruise, Tony Michaels, says, “There’s nostalgia, but we also have to think of younger generations,” other than the 1960s muscle car fans that first originated the event in 1995. Detroit automakers will display their latest performance and technology vehicles alongside the classics, appealing to all ages.  

The Woodward Dream Cruise itself might just be a one day event, but there are some other car related festivities happening in the Metro Detroit area in the days leading up to it. The week leading up to the Cruise will begin with Roadkill Nights on August 12, with Dodges drag racing down a part of Woodward Avenue in Pontiac, Michigan. Last year, the drag racing event was held the day before the Woodward Dream Cruise, but the hope is that moving it a week earlier will make it easier for more people to attend. 

As for the Woodward Dream Cruise attractions, the General Motors design staff will showcase their personal collector cars from 1 PM -7 PM on Tuesday, August 15, at Memorial Park, which is located at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and 13 Mile Road in Royal Oak. There will also be displays in Royal Oak, Michigan at Duggan’s Irish Pub and at Normandy Plaza. Ford owner clubs will also show their vehicles at Memorial Park in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan. 

The City of Ferndale, Michigan also has its own plans for the Woodward Dream Cruise as they have planned 3 days of Dream Cruise festivities beginning on Thursday, August 17. The events include a live broadcast of Detroit Public TV’s “Dream Cruise Road Show,” vintage police, fire, and military vehicles, TV and movie cars including the Batmobile, Munster Koach, and Monkeemobile, monster trucks, Mustangs of all eras, and a free outdoor screening of 1984 “Ghostbusters” movie. 

The official start of the Woodward Dream Cruise will technically be on Friday, August 18, with a ribbon cutting at Woodward and 9 Mile in Ferndale, followed by a lights and sirens parade up the avenue in vintage emergency vehicles. As the countdown to the big day begins, The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC wants to encourage motor vehicle safety at all times for spectators and drivers alike, so as to help prevent any car crashes or pedestrian accidents. Now, polish your old ‘Stang and roll down the roof, because the Dream Cruise is about to shift into full gear! 

There's just something about driving around in an antique convertible, top down and hair blowing in the summer breeze, that attracts thousands of people to the Woodward Dream Cruise each year. With motor vehicles of every shape and make cruising around Metro Detroit, it is hard for anyone to not enjoy the classic Michigan event. However, having so many drivers and spectators around so many vehicles can also increase the risk of car accidents and pedestrain crashes happening. If you or someone you know have been injured in an automobile crash, contact The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.