This Michigan Driving Law Is Often Forgotten
I can admit, there are way too many driving laws to try and remember but at the same time they were all put into place to keep ourselves, other drivers, and pedestrians safe. Operating a motor vehicle is a big responsibility as you're in charge of a 2,000+ pound machine that has the capability of causing serious harm or death. This is the reason driving laws in Michigan have become stricter over the years, even with the added pressure, many drivers still regularly forget this simple law.
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It's okay to forget small quirks like not driving in the left lane the entire time you're on the highway or not always using your blinker but forgetting laws is much more serious. Driving is one of those skills that once you learn how to do it you never really forget, like riding a bike. Of course, it may take you a little while to get back into the swing of things but you'll quickly be pushing those pedals like crazy, driving works in the same way but can have much more dire consequences.
One of most overlooked parts of driving is parking which if you take a stroll around your town and look through some parking lots, you'll see some atrocious park jobs. I don't understand how some people are so bad at parking, all that's required of the driver is pulling between two lines and shifting the gear into park. Nonetheless, parking issues will forever exist but some of that is rectified when those individuals violate the parking laws.
There is a series of places that drivers are not allowed to park their vehicles for a number of reasons but most of them refer to safety of the driver, emergency personnel, and others in the area. Below is a list of parking violations that are often broken, resulting in damage to the vehicle or the vehicle being towed at the owner's expense.
Overlooked Parking Laws
Here are parking laws that are often violated in the state of Michigan:
- Anywhere near "no stopping" "no parking" "no standing" or "no parking at any time" signs
- Within 500 feet of a fire or crash
- Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
- Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street or when marked within 75 feet of the driveway on the other side of the street
- Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing
- In front of any alley, driveway, theater, emergency exit, or fire escape
- Next to a road where you block the view of drivers turning at an intersection
- More than 12 inches from the curb
- Against the flow of traffic
- Within 30 feet of a stop sign, traffic light, or flashing beacon, including a warning sign
- In a lane of a highway outside of city or village limits if there is a highway shoulder
- On or under a bridge (unless otherwise posted) on an overpass or in a tunnel
- On a sidewalk, or in front of a public or private driveway
- Within an intersection, crosswalk, or designated bike lane
- Within 20 feet of a marked crosswalk or 15 feet of an intersection if there is no crosswalk
- on the street-side of a legally parked vehicle AKA double parking
- So that you obstruct delivery of mail to a rural mailbox
- At a transit stop
That's a lot to remember when you're thinking of where to park but taking a quick second to look around and think of these laws to not only keep yourself but keep your car in one piece and out of the tow lot.
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