Michigan: Sheriff says drivers need to yield for emergencies
Impatient drivers have a simple task to fulfill when approached by emergency vehicles in emergency situations -— yield and move over. It’s the law. Under what is known as “Michigan’s Move Over Law,” motorists are required to move over for stationary emergency vehicles when their lights are activated. If that is not possible, drivers must slow down and pass with caution.
The law applies to police, fire, rescue, ambulance and road service, which include tow trucks or courtesy vehicles operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation.
This has been a major concern in Huron County, according to Sheriff Kelly Hanson.
“I’ve received calls from fire departments about drivers not getting out of the way in emergency situations,” Hanson said. “EMS drivers are having the same problems too.”
Back in early January, the sheriff’s department sent out a press release regarding moving over for emergency vehicles. Hanson said that was when his department first started seeing the problem.
“Towing companies were calling our department with complaints about drivers not moving over when they were trying to pull vehicles out of ditches,” Hanson explained.
“A lot of the officers have said it happens near township roads where the drivers will want to continue out of impatience and vehicles pass where the road is the narrowest,” he added.
Impatient drivers are not only creating safety hazards for the emergency vehicle, but themselves too.
“With the weight of a fire truck, it could cause a whole other level of safety concerns,” Hanson said.
Drivers charged with a violation could be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500, or imprisonment of no more than 90 days or both.
However, if a driver injures a police officer, firefighter or other emergency response personnel, the penalty raises to a felony violation with a fine of no more than $1,000, or imprisonment for not more than two years or both.
Lastly, if a driver causes death to a police officer, firefighter or other emergency response personnel, they will face a felony charge with a fine not more than $7,500, or by imprisonment of not more than 15 years or both.
The sheriff’s department is working to crack down on this issue, but it’s easier said than done.
“A lot of times, we’re not in the position to help because we are the ones heading to the emergency,” Hanson said. “It’s hard for us to take action when we’re on our way to the scene.”
Police are also cracking down on motorists who pass through funeral processions, which is a civil infraction.
“We’ve received complaints about this (funeral processions) too,” he said. “It’s not against the law to proceed past a funeral, but drivers can’t cut through or butt into the procession.”
Recently in the news, a Michigan man was charged with murder in the death of a firefighter. The Associated Press reported the firefighter was deliberately struck by a vehicle as he collected money for charity.
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