EMERGENCY VEHICLE: LIGHTS ON ROOF                                                            S.B. 46:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 46 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Dale W. Zorn

Committee:  Transportation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to delete a requirement that an emergency vehicle's flashing, rotating, or oscillating red lights be mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

Under the Code, the use or possession of flashing, oscillating, or rotating lights of any color is prohibited except as otherwise provided by law, or under certain circumstances. Under one of those circumstances, an "authorized emergency vehicle" may be equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red lights for use when responding to an emergency call if, when in use, the lights are mounted on the roof section of the vehicle, either as a permanent installation or by means of suction cups or magnets and are clearly visible in a 360-degree arc from a distance of 500 feet when in use. The bill would delete the requirement that the lights be mounted on the roof but would retain the visibility requirement.

MCL 257.698                                                           Legislative Analyst:  Drew Krogulecki

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and would have an indeterminate, though minimal, fiscal impact on local government. Removing the requirement that lights be mounted on the roof of an emergency vehicle theoretically would reduce the number of violations. (A violation of the Code is a misdemeanor unless it is designated a civil infraction or a felony. As a rule, a misdemeanor violation of the Code is punishable by a maximum fine of $100, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both.)

It is unknown whether those violations would occur in the absence of the bill. A decrease in misdemeanor arrests and prosecutions could reduce resource demands on law enforcement, court systems, and jails. Any decreased fine revenue would reduce revenue dedicated to public libraries.

Date Completed:  3-10-17                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergan

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.