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Legislation increasing the penalty for not pulling over for an emergency vehicle passed the state Senate Wednesday.
Currently in Michigan, you can be fined up to $100 or for commercial vehicles up to $250 for failing to move over for an ambulance, police car, fire truck or other emergency vehicle.
These bills would make it a misdemeanor to not pullover, which carries up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail.
If an officer, firefighter or emergency responder is hurt because someone didn’t pull to the side of the road it’s a felony that carries a $1,000 fine and up to two years in prison.
If there’s a death that fine goes up to $7,500 and 15 years in prison.
Senator Curtis Hertel is a sponsor.
He says everybody probably knows they’re supposed to pull over for emergency vehicles, but the hope is the change will raise awareness and get everybody doing what they’re supposed to do.
The legislation was sent to the House.
