TRAFFIC SIGNAL FAILURE; DRIVING S.B. 521:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 521 (as introduced 9-6-17)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to create requirements for the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection controlled by a traffic control signal that was malfunctioning.
The Code requires the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection to yield the right of way to a vehicle that has entered the intersection from a different highway. When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right. These rules would be modified according to the bill.
The bill would require the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection that was controlled by a traffic control signal to do all of the following, if the signal facing the driver exhibited no colored lights or colored lighted arrows, exhibited a combination of colored lights or colored lighted arrows that failed to clearly indicate the assignment of right of way, or the signals were otherwise malfunctioning:
-- Stop at a clearly marked stop line, or, if there were no clearly marked stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if there were no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.
-- Yield the right of way to all vehicles in the intersection or approaching on an intersecting road, if those vehicles would constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver was moving across or within the intersection.
-- Exercise ordinary care while proceeding through the intersection.
The bill's provisions would not apply to an intersection that was controlled by a traffic control signal that was flashing yellow except upon the occurrence of certain events, including activation by an emergency vehicle, or a traffic control signal that was located in a school zone and was flashing yellow only during prescribed periods of time.
The bill would take effect 90 days after it was enacted.
MCL 257.649 Legislative Analyst: Drew Krogulecki
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and could have a minor positive fiscal impact on local government. A violation of the provisions of the bill would be a civil infraction. Any increase in civil infraction fine revenue would increase funding for public libraries.
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.