Chapter 4: Traffic Laws Pt. 1

Why can a distracted driver be prosecuted?

• Careless or reckless driving

• Endangers people or property

Using a phone while driving is illegal, except for reporting what?

• Crime

• Crashes

• Emergencies

What are the fines for using a phone while driving?

• $100 1st offense

• $250 2nd+ offenses

How should children be tended to before driving?

Children should be comfortable, buckled, and taught good behavior

What should you do when driving?

• Make driving your priority

• Hands on wheel

• Avoid electronic use

• Park to call

• Avoid calling drivers

• Avoid heated convos

• Eat or drink easy to handle items

• Take a break if tired or lost in thought

What are the only emergency exceptions to phone usage?

• Medical emergency

• Traffic crash

• Serious road hazard

• Fire

• Hazardous materials

• Crimes

• Reckless drivers

• Impaired drivers

What are the only non-emergency exceptions for phone usage?

• GPS

• Voice-operated device

• Vehicle interfaces

• Dash cam

• Mounted device

What does Michigan law require when it comes to buckling?

• Front seat passengers

• All passengers under 16

• Children younger than 8, under 4’9” in a booster seat

• Ensure all passengers are buckled

• Must have doctor’s statement if exempt

• Belt worn shoulder across the chest away from neck, lap belt worn across the hips below the stomach

What are the child passenger safety laws?

• Children younger than 8, under 4’9” in a booster seat

• Properly secured to the set safety standards

• Nursing in a moving vehicle is prohibited

• Children younger than 4 are in the rear seats

• Airbags must be deactivated when children younger than 4 are in front seat

• Children under 18 are prohibited from truck beds going more than 15 mph

• Children are prohibited from being held or buckled with another passenger

• Avoid buying secondhand seats that may not meet safety standards

What are the laws for leaving children unattended in a vehicle?

• Leaving a child under 6 unattended is illegal

• You can leave children with someone at least 13 or sober

• Leaving children or pets is never safe

• Keep your vehicle locked

• Never leave your keys in access to children

What types of crashes do seat belts remain the best protection for?

• Rollover

• Side impact

• Rear-end crashes

What are the laws on air bags?

• Deactivated if child is in front

• All children under 12 should be placed in rear

• Drivers should be placed as far away as possible

What is Michigan's Basic Speed Law?

• Must drive carefully in all conditions

• Drive at a speed that allows you to stop within clear distance

• Never faster than the limit

• Even slower depending on conditions

• Watch for speed signs

What are the standard speed limits defined by the Michigan Vehicle Code?

• 15 mph - mobile homes or municipal parks

• 25 mph - business districts, parks, playgrounds, school, hospital zones, streets, condominium complexes

• 45 mph - work zone

• 55 mph - streets and highways

• 70 mph - freeways

What are the signs for construction, maintenance, surveying or other work areas?

• Diamond shaped signs with black letters and orange or yellow backgrounds

• A combo of signs

• Signals

• Lighting devices

• Markings

• Barricades

• Routing

• Hand-signaling devices

What do these warning signs for work zones mean?

• Part of a lane

• An entire lane

• A whole road is blocked

• Work on an adjacent road

• Work on shoulders or ditches

What should drivers do for construction zones?

• Watch for warning signs

• Drive defensively

• Be patient

• Watch for workers or moving equipment

• Follow workers directing traffic

• Pay attention to speed limits

• Speed limits are 45 mph, faster when workers are absent

What are the fines for drivers in work zones?

• 3 points - 10 mph or less over speed limit

• 4 points - 10-15 mph over speed limit

• 5 points - 15 mph over speed limit

• $7500 and 15 years for injury or death

How do drivers merge in a construction zone?

By following workers directing traffic into merging lanes, with orange and white barrels or other signs as markers

What are the laws for maintenance vehicles?

• Equip flashing, oscillating green lights during road work

• Equip amber lights

What should drivers do when there are emergency vehicles signaling?

Yield the right of way

What should you do when you see a stopped emergency vehicle?

• Slow down at 10 mph below the limit

• Move over a lane

• Slow down while keeping distance

What are the penalties for failing to stop for emergency vehicles?

• Civil infraction

• Misdemeanor involving other authorized vehicles

• Felony for injuring or killing emergency worker

When approaching a flashing emergency vehicle with a siren, what should you do?

• Pull over

• Remain until its passed

• Keep foot on brake

• Stay at least 500 ft away

• Never pass unless directed

What should you do around school buses flashing red lights?

Stop at least 20 feet away

What are the fines for failing to stop for a school bus?

• Doubled fines

• Increased fines or imprisonment for violations causing injury or death