Michigan drivers must stay 200 feet away from snow plows. What it could cost if you don’t do it

Now that Michigan is firmly in place, lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at preventing snowplow accidents.

Drivers who do not provide enough space for snow plows and salt trucks may face fines.

According to Michigan State Police, there were 30,786 winter weather crashes during the 2022-2023 winter season, including 59 fatal crashes.

The legislation now in force is intended to reduce these numbers. Here’s what you need to know about the new law to keep drivers safe:

What Does Michigan Law Say About Snow Plows?

The Michigan law signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July requires drivers to stay 200 feet behind a snowplow unless passing.

Michigan drivers are not allowed to be closer than 20 feet from the truck stopped at an intersection.

What is a snow plow?

Snow plows include vehicles that:

• Operating on behalf of the state, a county road commission or a municipality.

• Actively involved in clearing snow and ice, plowing snow, salting or sanding.

What happens if I get too close to a team?

Drivers who do not stay far enough away from plows are guilty of a civil violation with a $100 fine.

Michigan Traffic Rules

• Drivers may pass snow plows on the left. Most snowplow/vehicle crashes occur when passenger vehicles collide with snowplows from behind or while attempting to pass, state police say, warning drivers to avoid passing.

• When you encounter a snowplow coming from the opposite direction, slow down and increase your distance from the centerline.

• Snow plows are considered authorized vehicles, part of the Michigan Move Over Law, which means vehicles must cross and slow down to 10 mph below the posted speed limit when they see them in their rearview mirror.

How to see which roads are open in Michigan

MI Drive, an online tool from the Michigan Department of Transportation, allows residents to see which roads have been plowed recently, including special events and future road closures. Michigan drivers can also find a wealth of other safety information on the website.

Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Michigan law makes snowplow drivers pay $100 fine