GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Michigan. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Helmets required for riders under 21 or for riders and passengers without additional insurance. Universal helmet law repealed 2012.
4 years
None
Zero tolerance for some drugs
Legal for medical and recreational use
Zero tolerance for THC
70 (75 on select segments)
65
70
60; 55 if speed limit for cars is less than 70 MPH
70
60; 55 if speed limit for cars is less than 70 MPH
Yes
0.17
30-180 days
After 45 days
Mandatory for high BAC (0.17) and repeat convictions
Yes
Under age 8 and under 57" tall
Younger than 2 yrs, unless reached the weight or height limit set by manufacturer, must be in a rear-facing system; 2-4 yrs, unless reached the weight or height limit set by manufacturer, must be in forward-facing restraint; 5-7 yrs, unless reached height of 4 feet 9 inches, must be in a belt-positioning child booster (effective 09/25/24)
8-15 yrs or 57" or taller
17 years
14 / 9
6
50 (10)
16
10 p.m. - 5 a.m.
No more than 1 under 21
16 and over
Front
Primary
Yes
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
None (State law requires law enforcement to witness violations)
n/a
None (State law requires law enforcement to witness violations)
n/a
The weather is getting warmer. With spring at our doorstep, that means more people will be hitting the roads -- and that includes new teen drivers. But there’s a statistic that’s weighing on many minds.
Story by Ashley Smith
March 18, 2021
When a person reads a text while driving, his or her eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that’s like driving the length of a football field while blindfolded.
A new study found in a five-year period, nearly five thousand teens died in crashes because of speeding, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Story by Ali Hoxie
February 17, 2021
"For 30 years, 1979 to 2009, pedestrian fatalities decreased by 50 percent. Now, it's increased by 50 percent since then," said Richard Retting, who conducted the pedestrian fatalities study for GHSA.
Story by Joe Lapointe
March 4, 2020
As Michigan prepares to implement legalized recreational marijuana, the Michigan Office of Highway and Safety Planning's annual traffic summit considered how legalization may impact traffic safety.
To place increased focus on pedestrian safety, Michigan law enforcement is cracking down on behaviors including speeding, failure to yield, and failure to use turn signals. Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning Director Mike Prince discusses the effort.
