Senator Albert asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Albert’s statement is as follows:
I would like to thank the Senator from the 19th District for his willingness to work together on this bipartisan proposal to help improve the safety of those at the greatest risk on our roadways in Michigan.
The need for this legislation is glaringly apparent. While the overall number of traffic crashes and fatalities in Michigan declined slightly in 2023, the number of crashes involving vulnerable roadway users, such as bicyclists and pedestrians, increased by at least 10 percent, according to Michigan State Police statistics. This legislation includes a simplified and more comprehensive “move over” law to better protect everyone. The state’s “move over” law would apply any time to any vehicle that is pulled over with its lights flashing. I believe we need better enforcement of the “move over” law. A much-needed first step is to make it easier to understand, follow, and communicate publicly.
My involvement in this issue came as a result of a meeting with the family of Keagan Spencer, a young tow truck driver who was killed on the M-6 Highway in 2023. There have been many other tragic incidents across our state involving those at greater risk on the road—including law enforcement, bicyclists, pedestrians, and people just pulled over to try and change a tire. The Spencer family deserves a great deal of credit and thanks for raising awareness about the need for change related to traffic safety.
No single vote or single piece of legislation is going to magically make our roads perfectly safe. It will take a concerted effort from everyone to follow and enforce all of our traffic laws, including distracted driving and other laws, but this vote today is an important step in the right direction. I urge a “yes” vote on this legislation.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 106, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” (MCL 257.1 to 257.923) by adding section 811kk.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: