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Legislation aimed at protecting police officers and other emergency responders in roadside situations is now in effect, thanks in large part to active support from the Michigan Police Legislative Coalition (MPLC). House Bill 5549 requires the operator of a vehicle that is approaching any emergency vehicle which has its emergency lights activated to carefully move into an open lane at least one lane away. If this is not possible, the operator must slow and pass with caution, allowing the emergency vehicle as much space as possible. While every officer in Michigan understands the motivation for this new law, which became effective March 28, no agency perceives the need for such legislation more clearly than the State Police. Col. Michael D. Robinson, the department's Director, pointed out that the last three troopers who have died in the line of duty were all struck and killed while on traffic stops. "All too often police officers and other emergency responders are killed or injured while stopped alongside the roadway during the course of their duties," he said. "A total of five troopers have lost their lives in this manner during the history of the Michigan State Police. Dozens of other officers have been struck and injured while on traffic stops, many seriously enough to cause permanent and disabling injuries." Both this bill and a new law prohibiting an operator from allowing a person less than 18 years old to ride in the open bed of a pickup truck traveling faster than 15 miles per hour were endorsed and strongly supported by the MPLC. "Mike Ranville and Jim Curran (of Karoub Associates, the MPLC's legislative liaison firm) worked very hard on behalf of these important measures," said MAP Executive Director Fred Timpner. "Our members are fortunate to have such outstanding representation in Lansing. "Karoub Associates does a great job and keeps us well-informed. MPLC member organizations are often the only police groups represented in the Legislature." |
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