WRECKERS AS EMERGENCY VEHICLES
House Bill 4928
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Bishop
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 6-14-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4928 AS INTRODUCED 6-7-01
House Bill 4928 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require that drivers who approach wreckers with flashing lights treat the wreckers as authorized emergency vehicles and their drivers as emergency response personnel.
Under the law, a driver who approaches and passes a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is giving a visual signal by means of flashing, rotating, or oscillating red, blue, or white lights must exhibit due care and caution. Specifically, the driver must yield the right-of-way by moving into an adjacent lane or two vehicle widths away, whenever that is possible; or, in the alternative when driving on a two-lane two-way road, by reducing and maintaining a safe speed. If a driver violates this rule he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both. However, if a driver violates this rule and causes injury to any emergency response personnel, he or she is guilty of a felony and is punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. If the driver causes death to the emergency response personnel in the immediate area, then he or she is guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $7,500 or by imprisonment for not more than 15 years, or both. House Bill 4928 would extend these provisions to include the operator of a wrecker that is giving a visual signal by means of flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber or red lights.
MCL 257.653a
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.