This winter, if drivers follow a snowplow too closely, they may be issued a $100 ticket.
Under the new law, it is now considered a civil infraction to follow a snowplow from a distance closer than 200 feet while it is actively salting, sanding, or removing snow and ice from the road.
When attempting to pass a snowplow, drivers are not required to abide by the distance rule. Moreover, when the plow is stopped at or in an intersection, the required separation distance behind it reduces to 20 feet.
The state or a local municipality must activate their operating lights for the rule to apply. Furthermore, the rule only applies when plows are working on behalf of them.
On July 30, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new law aimed at reducing winter crashes. This law requires drivers to maintain a certain distance between vehicles, which will provide them with more time to stop in poor weather conditions.
According to state data, there have been 114 crashes involving snowplows in the last five years. This includes 20 crashes in 2021 and 19 in 2022.
In January, the Senate’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure was presented with testimony indicating that the number of traffic accidents between snowplows and personal vehicles has risen due to increasingly harsh winter conditions.
Drivers may encounter crashes due to various reasons, such as poor visibility and icy roads, which can make it challenging to apply brakes in time to avert a potential collision.
According to the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Sam Singh of East Lansing, the primary objective of the new law is to enhance safety during winter travel.
Singh stated that snowplows play a crucial role in maintaining the safety of Michigan’s roadways during the winter season. However, the frequency of accidents involving these vehicles and motorists highlights the need for improved safety measures.
According to the statement, the legislation guarantees the safety of Michigan drivers by providing snowplows with enough space to keep the roadways clear.
The initial version of the bill stated that drivers had to maintain a distance of 75 feet when driving behind a snowplow on roadways with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. On the other hand, for all roadways with speed limits higher than 35 mph, the required distance was 200 feet.
The enacted version of the bill removed the shorter distance requirement for slower roads. As a result, the 200 foot distance is mandatory for all roadways, regardless of their speed limit.
Officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have expressed their support for any legislation that aims to enhance traffic safety.
According to John Richard, a spokesperson for MDOT, they are in favor of any legislation that promotes the safety of drivers and the hardworking individuals responsible for maintaining Michigan’s roads and bridges, particularly during the challenging winter months.
As MDOT has been advocating for years, it is crucial to give snowplows enough space to clear the roads. These massive vehicles apply materials and can generate substantial snow waves while plowing. Therefore, it is essential to keep a safe distance from snowplows while they are on the road.
