Avoid the Ticket! A Review Michigan Traffic Laws

Whether you’ve just moved to Michigan or it’s been a while since you had to go into the office, you might want to familiarize or refresh yourself with the Michigan traffic laws.

No one usually wakes up each morning intending to run a stop sign or get a ticket. You can always try to fight these in court, but it’s much easier to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place. Here are the most common traffic laws and road rules in Michigan that people get tickets for.

Be Courteous to Cyclists

When passing a cyclist, by law, you must allow 3 feet of space between your vehicle and the cyclist. Failure to do so or passing a cyclist illegally on the shoulder of a road is hazardous for both parties.

Failure to pass a cyclist safely will result in three points on your license. Fees for this infraction can be as high as $135, depending on your county. You should also note that if you pass a cyclist too close and it results in an accident, you will be held liable.

You Need to Stop at the Stop Sign

In 2021, this still needs to be said. Yes, you’re running late for work, but can you really afford points on your license? Failure to stop at a stop sign (including the slow, roll-through) results in two points on your license. Fees for such an offense can be as high as $100.

In the most serious of cases, failure to stop at a stop sign could lead to a reckless driving conviction, which can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the specific circumstances of your case. Yes, you could always try to fight it in court, but it’s much easier to avoid these mistakes like this, to begin with.

Click It or Ticket

Wearing a seat belt reduces your risk of being killed in a car crash by 45%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 2,000 lives could’ve been saved each year if they chose to wear a seatbelt. The data is clear, wearing a seatbelt isn’t just a matter of following the law. It could make all the difference when it comes to avoiding fatal or severe injuries in a crash.

The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is 65 dollars. Police can also ticket you if your passenger isn’t wearing a seatbelt. Make sure any of your friends in the car with you comply. If you ask them and they still refuse, we have this quick tip for these kinds of situations: don’t drive with them. First, have a conversation with them when you’re not in the car. Make sure they understand how important it is for them to wear a seatbelt in your car and what will happen if they don’t.

Remember, The Speed Limit Sign Is There for a Reason

The speed limit is the law, and that law applies to everyone. Speeding is on the rise since the pandemic, and it’s leading to more Michiganders ending up in court for something that’s 100% preventable.

While it’s never legal to go over the speed limit, there are times where you can go under the speed limit without penalty (i.e., inclement weather conditions or low visibility).

In addition to points on your license, the fees for a speeding offense aren’t cheap and can be as high as $140. Depending on where you are speeding, it can cost you even more. For speeding in a school zone, you can earn four points on your license and pay up to $260. Just don’t do it. Yes, you have somewhere to be, but plan accordingly to allow ample travel time to get to your destination without breaking the law.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

Would you drive from one end of Michigan Stadium to the other with your eyes closed? Of course not, because that’s incredibly dangerous. However, that’s precisely what you’re doing every time you decide to text and drive. In 2018, over 400,000 Americans were injured in accidents related to distracted driving. Don’t be one of them.

The penalties for distracted driving are severe. It’s $100 for the first offense but rises to an eye-watering $200 after. That adds up fast. Aside from thinking about your wallet, think about your family, who look forward to hugging you each day after work. That’s way more important than whatever is trending on Twitter. If a phone call is truly that important, pull over while you take the call. Do the right thing to protect yourself and your community. Keep your eyes on the road.

Emergency Vehicles Have the Right of Way

Police cars, fire trucks (including volunteer departments), and ambulances are all considered emergency vehicles. When you see their lights (or hear them approaching), pull over to the side of the road or highway until they have passed you. Never pass an emergency vehicle with its lights or siren on.

If you happen to be driving and see, say, an ambulance stopped in your lane, move over to another lane. Some drivers may not be as courteous as you, and they may refuse to let you in. If that happens, slow down and carefully proceed, keeping as much space as possible between you and the emergency vehicle.

The penalties for passing, refusing to slow down, or yield for emergency vehicles are severe. Fines can be as high as $400, and you will face criminal charges if your actions result in an EMT, police officer, or other personnel being injured. Remember, that ambulance or police car is trying to help someone in a situation where every second counts. Do your part to make sure that someone in your community can get the help they desperately need.

Follow the Rules of the Road

Traffic tickets don’t have to happen to you. By refreshing yourself on these simple road rules, you can prevent yourself from winding up in court or potentially losing your license for a silly mistake. However, we realize that no one is perfect. If you find yourself with a hefty ticket, get the representation you need to fight it. Get the representation you need without breaking the bank.