HOUSE BILL No. 6426


     September 24, 2002, Introduced by Reps. Hale and Bogardus and referred to the Committee on Transportation.


        A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled

   "Michigan vehicle code,"

   by amending section 648 (MCL 257.648).

               THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

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             Sec. 648.  (1) The driver of a vehicle or bicycle upon a

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        highway, before stopping or turning from a direct line, shall

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        first see that the stopping or turning can be made in safety and

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        shall give a signal as required in this section.  AS USED IN THIS

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        SECTION, "TURNING FROM A DIRECT LINE" INCLUDES CHANGING LANES ON

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        A MULTIPLE LANE ROADWAY.

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             (2) A signal required in this section shall be given either

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        by means of the hand and arm in the manner specified in this sec-

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        tion, or by a mechanical or electrical signal device which

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        conveys an intelligible signal or warning to other highway

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        traffic, except as otherwise provided in subsection (3).  When a


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        signal is given by means of the hand and arm, the driver shall

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        indicate his or her intention to stop or turn by extending his

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        hand and arm from and beyond the left side of the vehicle and

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        signal as follows:

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             (a) Left turn .....  hand and arm extended horizontally.

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             (b) Right turn .....  hand and arm extended upward.

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             (c) Stop or decrease speed .....  hand and arm extended

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        downward.

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             (3) A commercial motor vehicle, other than those in transit

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        from a manufacturer to a dealer, in use on a highway shall be

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        equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, a signal

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        lamp or mechanical signal device when the distance from the

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        center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit

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        of the body, cab, or load of the commercial motor vehicle exceeds

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        24 inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the

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        steering post to the rear limit of the body or load of the com-

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        mercial vehicle exceeds 14 feet.  The measurement from steering

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        post to rear limit shall apply to a single vehicle or combination

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        of vehicles.

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             (4) A person who violates this section is responsible for a

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        civil infraction.















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