--- title: "Michigan Has a New Flex Route Aimed at Lowering Car Accidents and Injuries" url: https://callsam.com/blog/flex-lane-reduces-michigan-car-accidents/ description: "I-96 in Oakland County and US-23 use left-shoulder flex lanes. Green arrow means open; a red X means stay off. See hours and crash results." lastModified: 2026-10-11 --- # Michigan Has a New Flex Route Aimed at Lowering Car Accidents and Injuries Published: April 18, 2025 Flex routes use the left (median) shoulder as an extra lane in rush hour. They are cheaper than building a full-time lane and can cut congestion and crashes, as long as drivers read the overhead signs. Michigan now has flex operations on **I-96 in Oakland County** (Kent Lake Road to the I-275 / I-696 / M-5 interchange) and on **US-23** in Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Technology still cannot prevent every wreck. If you are hurt, an experienced [car accident attorney](https://callsam.com/case-types/car-accidents/) can help you pursue compensation. ## WHAT IS A FLEX ROUTE? A flex route is a freeway stretch where the left shoulder becomes a travel lane when congestion (or a blocked lane) warrants it. Overhead lane-control signs tell you when that shoulder is open. Using the shoulder part-time avoids years of full-width construction on corridors that jam only at peak hours. ## HOW DO DRIVERS KNOW WHICH LANE TO USE ON A FLEX ROUTE? Watch the gantry over **your** lane, including the shoulder: - **Green arrow** over the shoulder: the flex lane is open - **Red X:** the shoulder is closed. Driving on it is illegal - A yellow chevron or merge message means move over - Posted or displayed speeds are for current conditions, including incidents ahead Follow the signs, not a memorized clock. MDOT can open or close the lane for a crash, weather or construction. ## ARE FLEX LANES OPEN TO ALL TYPES OF MOTOR VEHICLES? Most passenger vehicles may use an open flex lane. Large trucks and other commercial vehicles should follow any posted exclusions and never use a shoulder showing a red X. When in doubt, stay in the general-purpose lanes. ## WHERE ARE MICHIGAN’S FLEX ROUTES CURRENTLY LOCATED? [MDOT’s flex-route page](https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/safety/road-users/flex-routes) lists: - **US-23** (first corridor, 2017): originally M-14 to about M-36 / 8 Mile. **Phase 2** flex lanes between **I-96 and 8 Mile Road** in Livingston County began operating in **July 2026**, extending the system north toward I-96. - **I-96** (opened for use **March 19, 2025**): Kent Lake Road to the I-275 / I-696 / M-5 interchange in Oakland County. ## WHEN ARE FLEX LANES OPEN TO TRAFFIC? Typical peak windows (weekdays, when MDOT opens the lane): ### I-96 (Oakland County) - Eastbound: 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. - Westbound: 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. ### US-23 - **Southbound** (morning commute toward Ann Arbor): about 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. - **Northbound** (afternoon commute): about 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Lanes may also open for incidents. A red X still means closed. ## DO FLEX ROUTES REDUCE CAR ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IN MICHIGAN? MDOT’s evaluation of the original US-23 flex route reported about a **17%** overall crash drop, with southbound crashes down about **34%** overall and more than **50%** in peak periods. Drivers surveyed on that corridor reported high satisfaction. MDOT and Michigan State Police watch the corridors around the clock from transportation operations centers (sensors, cameras, dispatch). They change the signs when a lane is blocked or speeds should drop. ## CALL OUR EXPERIENCED CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS TO WIN THE COMPENSATION YOU DESERVE If you or a family member is injured in a crash, we can help. Our lawyers have the experience and resources to protect your rights and pursue compensation. Michigan car accident laws are complicated, but finding the right [auto accident attorney](https://callsam.com/case-types/car-accidents/) is simple. Don’t let the legal clock run out. Fill out the brief form below or contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. ## Related Posts ### [How Are Michigan Car Accident Lawyer Fees Determined?](https://callsam.com/blog/car-accident-lawyer-fees/) ### [Taking a Memorial Day Road Trip? How to Avoid a Car Accident on This Dangerous Driving Weekend](https://callsam.com/blog/memorial-day-car-accident/) ### [Michigan Car Seat Laws: What Every Parent Should Know](https://callsam.com/blog/michigan-car-seat-laws-what-every-parent-should-know/) ### [Be Ghoulish… Not Foolish: Safety Tips for a Hazard-Free Halloween](https://callsam.com/blog/halloween-safety/) ### [Labor Day Safety Tips: How to Survive One of the Year's Most Dangerous Weekends](https://callsam.com/blog/labor-day-safety-tips/) ### [Are Golf Carts “Street Legal” on Michigan Roads?](https://callsam.com/blog/golf-carts-legal-michigan/) ### [Does Michigan No-Fault Insurance Cover Non-Resident Drivers Involved in a Car Accident?](https://callsam.com/blog/michigan-no-fault-cover-non-resident-car-accidents/) ### [The Darker Side of Daylight Saving Time: What Every Driver Should Know](https://callsam.com/blog/daylight-saving-time-car-accident/) ### [Michigan Supreme Court Allows Full Medical Benefits for Victims Injured Before No-Fault Reforms](https://callsam.com/blog/michigan-supreme-court-full-medical-benefits/) ### [New Electronic Signs on I-94 Recommend Safe Speed Limits for Winter Drivers](https://callsam.com/blog/new-billboards-michigan-recommend-speed-limits/)