Michigan’s New Snowplow Law: Keep Your Distance Or Pay Up

Congratulations, Michigan! You've survived another summer, and as a reward, lawmakers decided to spend it thinking about winter. Yep, while you were enjoying days on the beach, the Michigan legislature was passing a law designed to keep you from getting too cozy with snowplows. Because, you know, nothing says summer fun to lawmakers than snowplow safety discussions.

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Here's the deal: starting the winter of 2024, if you follow a snowplow within 200 feet, you could be out $100. That's right, get too close, and you get a fine and a civil infraction. You are allowed within 20 feet of a plow when they are not in service and at intersections when the vehicle is stopped.

Why Michiganders Need to "BACK OFF" From Snow Plows

Why the new law? Apparently, 114 crashes involving these monster snow throwers over the last five years weren't enough to remind us that snowplows need room to do their thing. According to MLive, 20 of those crashes occurred in 2021 alone.

Enter Michigan's lawmakers, who stepped in to ensure that when you see that giant truck tossing salt, sand, and mountains of snow into the air, back off. Or pay up.

This law is all about safety—Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed it to give drivers a better chance of stopping in icy conditions. After all, snow plows are doing the heavy lifting so we can stay on the road and off the news.

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So, next time you see that plow? Take a breath, chill out, and give them the room they need. And yes, this applies to plows from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), counties, and cities because plow equality is important.