Visitors to Island Still Need To Obey Laws and Traffic Rules
By Bernie Nguyen

Mackinac Island, though removed from the rest of Michigan in both location and lifestyle, is still subject to the laws that govern the state, said Chief William Lenaghan of the Mackinac Island Police Department. Visitors to the Island should be aware that their behavior here, as everywhere else, has consequences.

With the large volume of tourists who stay on the Island for only a few days at a time, downtown Mackinac is usually crowded with visitors who may be unaware of the appropriate behavior that is required for safety here.

"The underlying factor," said Chief Lenaghan, "is if you wouldn't do it at home, you shouldn't do it here." He mentioned the necessity for visitors to obey laws that exist to keep the Island safe and enjoyable.

"Courtesy to your neighbor is expected and respected," he added, saying that respect both from and to Islanders is one of the most important aspects of appropriate behavior. He added that even though Mackinac is a vacation spot, it is still necessary for visitors to be mindful of their actions, especially considering the many horses that keep traffic flowing.

"You have to be concerned with your safety and the safety of the people you're with," Chief Lenaghan said. "Up here, the factor becomes more dangerous because of the horses."

He emphasized that reciprocity is still the most effective way to ensure that certain behaviors

do not offend others or violate safety laws, and that following guidelines prevents accidents and does not preclude enjoying the Island.

Extra vigilance is required, Chief Lenaghan said, even though the Island does not allow motorized vehicles. Many people, he said, assume that it is safe to step into the street because there are no cars. Horses and bicycles are still on the street, though, he said, and may be more dangerous because they do not carry the same sounds that people associate with dangerous traffic situations. People must be more aware that there could be a bicycle or a horse bearing down on them in the street, especially since horses and many bicycles do not carry alarms or horns to alert pedestrians.

Chief Lenaghan encourages people to stay on sidewalks rather than wandering into streets, and emphasizes that courtesy on the Island should extend to horses and drivers as well as other visitors and residents.

Runaways are a concern on the Island because of the nature of both horses and the crowds that often fill Main Street and downtown. Horses always have the right of way in traffic situations

and bicycles and people should avoid getting too close and scaring them, since runaways can cause both chaos and injury.

City ordinances prohibiting skateboarding, roller-skating, and in-line skating must also be observed. Any person in violation is guilty of a civil infraction. First offenses will be ticketed for $110, and second offenders are fined $210.