TRAFFIC BARRIERS AT ACCIDENT OR CRIME SCENE

House Bill 4863

Sponsor:  Rep. Richard Ball

Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 9-5-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4863 AS INTRODUCED 6-2-05

The bill would add a new section to the Michigan Vehicle Code to prohibit the driver of a vehicle from moving, driving around, or otherwise disregarding a temporary traffic barrier that has been erected at the scene of an accident or crime by a law enforcement official or employee of a law enforcement agency authorized to erect such a barrier.  A violation would be a civil infraction.

(A civil infraction is an act prohibited by law but which is not a crime.  Unless a certain amount for a civil fine is specified in statute for a particular infraction, each district of the district court and each municipal court is allowed to establish a schedule of civil fines, costs, and assessments to be imposed for civil infractions occurring within the respective district or city.)

MCL 257.620a) 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the state and local units of government.  Each person determined to be responsible for a state civil infraction is required to pay a justice system assessment of $10, which is deposited into the Justice System Fund, which in turn is distributed by statutory formula to support a variety of law enforcement, correctional, judicial, and legislative programs. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Marilyn Peterson

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.