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HB 5704

Traffic control: traffic regulation; requirements for passing a stationary vehicle; modify to include county road worker vehicles. Amends secs. 2, 653a & 907 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.2 et seq.) & repeals sec. 653b of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.653b). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5702'26, HB 5703'26

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 15 co-sponsors

Expands penalties and protections in work zones by requiring drivers to slow and move over for all stationary vehicles with signals, elevating some violations to civil infractions.

bill electronically reproduced 03/10/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 5704

Overview

House Bill 5704 (2025-2026, Michigan) is a package intended to strengthen penalties and expand protections for road workers and other stationary vehicles in work zones. It ties into companion bills HB 5702 and HB 5703 and would modify how drivers must respond to stationary vehicles and who is covered by penalties. The measures aim to deter dangerous passing and ensure greater safety for road maintenance crews, emergency responders, and related workers.

Main purpose and intent

  • Improve safety in work zones by expanding the scope of penalties for failing to exercise due care when approaching or passing stationary vehicles with warning signals.
  • Extend existing penalties to cover a broader set of stationary road-related vehicles, including nonemergency road service and road work vehicles, and newly specified conditions (e.g., green lights or hazard lights).
  • Create a new Class C felony in certain moving-violation scenarios involving road workers, with corresponding sentencing guidelines.
  • Reclassify certain penalties from criminal misdemeanors to civil infractions in prescribed circumstances to influence enforcement and jail/prison usage.

Key provisions and changes

  • Sec. 2 definitions:

    • Expands the category of “authorized emergency vehicle” to include road service vehicles and road work vehicles that use visual signals.
    • Distinguishes between “road service vehicle” (assist disabled vehicles) and “road work vehicle” (performs road work).

  • Sec. 653a (approaching a stationary vehicle with signals):

    • Replaces or supplements existing rules for approaching stationary emergency vehicles with a broader requirement that applies to all stationary vehicles using flashing lights (red, blue, white, amber, green) or hazard signals.
    • Requires drivers to slow by at least 10 mph below the posted limit and, when feasible, move over into an adjacent lane or create space of at least one moving lane or two vehicle widths.
    • If changing lanes isn’t possible due to weather, traffic, or other conditions, the driver must proceed with due care and caution as per the bill.

  • Penalties (civil vs. criminal):

    • General violation of 653a becomes a civil infraction with a $400 fine.
    • If the stationary vehicle is an authorized emergency vehicle with personnel present, the civil fine increases to $750.
    • Criminal penalties remain for injuries or deaths arising from violations (felonies with higher fines and prison terms).

  • Sec. 907:

    • Maintains structure for civil infractions and associated costs, with specified maximum fines and potential costs, and provisions for installments, court-ordered programs, and case management.

  • Enacting section:

    • Repeals sec. 653b (previously governing passing stationary utility/maintenance vehicles with amber lights) and extends 653a to cover these scenarios.

  • Effective timing:

    • The act’s effectiveness is contingent on the passage of the related companion bills (5702 and 5703).

Who and what is affected

  • Drivers of motor vehicles on Michigan roads (across all vehicle classes).
  • Road service and road work vehicles (including utility and maintenance fleets) that are stationary or signaling.
  • Authorized emergency responders and personnel at work sites.
  • Local and state courts, law libraries, and justice system funding via civil fines and assessments.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill is part of a tied package with HB 5702 and HB 5703.
  • It introduces civil fine schedules and potential shifts in how violations are charged (civil infraction vs. misdemeanor/felony).
  • Enacting sections require passage of all three bills to take effect.
  • Fiscal notes acknowledge uncertain impacts on state and local finances due to potential changes in caseloads, incarceration costs, and civil fine revenues.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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