EMERGENCY VEHICLES
House Bill 5549
Sponsor: Rep. Valde Garcia
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 4-12-00
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5549 AS INTRODUCED 4-11-00
House Bill 5549 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to set penalties for drivers who drive unsafely near emergency vehicles.
The bill specifies that upon approaching and passing a stationary emergency vehicle whose lights are flashing, a driver would be required to exhibit due care and caution, and if he or she is on any public roadway with at least two adjacent lanes that proceed in the same direction as the emergency vehicle, move into a lane at least one moving lane or two vehicle widths away (unless directed otherwise by a police officer). If the driver could not move to an adjacent lane or two vehicle widths away because of weather or road conditions, or vehicle or pedestrian traffic, then the driver would be required to reduce and maintain a safe speed for the conditions, as directed by a police officer.
House Bill 5549 further specifies that a person who violated this provision would be guilty of a misdemeanor. If a violation caused injury to a police officer in the area of the emergency vehicle, it would be a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. Violating the bill and causing death to a police officer would be a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $7,500, or by imprisonment for not more than 15 years, or both. A violation that caused death to a police officer, and was caused by a driver who was at the time under the influence of or impaired by intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, would be punishable by imprisonment for life or any term of years.
MCL 257.653a
Analyst: J. Hunault