Nationwide, abandoned vehicles pose an environmental, health and safety hazard. They also lower property values and have a negative impact on our quality of life. The task of identifying and removing junk cars diverts local, county and state government resources from more serious issues such as protecting the public and crime prevention.

Michigan is taking action to protect the public as well as the beauty and integrity of its communities. To help reduce the number of impounded and abandoned vehicles, Michigan passed the Abandoned Vehicle Law, effective Oct. 1, 2005. The law streamlines the procedures for identifying and processing impounded and abandoned vehicles, while protecting the rights of vehicle owners.

In accordance with the law, the Michigan Auto Lost & Found Web site provides vehicle owners, law enforcement and "custodians" (towing agencies, law enforcement agencies and municipal impound lots) with the tools needed to combat this problem.