Springtime is an incredible time of year. A season of newness and fresh starts. The sun starts to shine for longer and cruising to a great song with the windows down begins to feel really good again.
I think a lot of others share this sentiment about the energy of spring. I notice it in the increase in which I see strollers and dogs filling the sidewalks, smell barbeque in the evenings, and hear revving engines during warm afternoons.
But, admittedly, sometimes those revving engines worry me about accidents.
I wouldn’t say I live on a busy street exactly, but when cars drive by sometimes they’re going fairly fast. My neighbors have dogs, and I have a young child. Both love to run and be outside. Neither should be mixed with a moving vehicle.
Hence the inspiration for my front yard sign that reads, “Slow Down: Kids & Pets at Play.”
Sometimes having such a sign seems corny (not to mention that it lacks measurable impact almost entirely) but I remain glad to offer an earnest nudge to my fellow drivers to pump the brakes and keep an eye out, especially as the weather gets nicer and kids head outside with their bikes, hoverboards, and friends.
In 2020, nearly 61,000 people in Michigan were injured and more than 1,000 died in traffic accidents. In the same year, 175 pedestrians and 38 bicyclists were killed in crashes. Nearly 42% of fatal crashes were considered alcohol- or drug-related. An increase from 38% in 2010.
Fortunately, over the last four decades the age-adjusted rate of motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. has declined from 22.1 per 100,000 in 1979 to 11.1 per 100,000 in 2019. The rate specifically among children and adolescents over the last several years has also seen a decrease. These reductions in mortality have occurred even as the overall number of vehicles and annual miles driven in the U.S. have increased. Many factors have likely played a role (vehicle improvements and safety laws, for example) but protective driver behaviors such as a wearing seat belt have certainly helped this reduction along.
So while spring can easily bring out our inner Speed Racer, it’s important to cool our jets a bit and remember the value of driver safety. Slowing down, paying due attention, and wearing a seat belt or age-appropriate safety restraint are actions every driver can take to help lower the numbers of road-related injuries and fatalities in our state.
Lastly, while we’re on the subject of age-appropriate safety restraints, I’d like to share a tip. I know that when it comes to car seats, it can feel like there’s a lot to learn: To start, which one? Proper install? What about after my baby inevitably grows? And, what’s the law say? But there are many resources available to help caregivers build their confidence about car seat safety. If you’re on Instagram, I’d recommend SafeintheSeat. (While you’re there, you can follow us here: MichLeague.) Or you can visit:
https://www.mottchildren.org/about-us/mott-buckle
https://pediatric-trauma.med.umich.edu/injury-prevention/car-seat-safety
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Jacob Kaplan 
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
