Use Caution When Operating Motorcycles; Lighting License Plates Mandatory

Everyone knows the motorcycle helmet law was recently changed to where under certain circumstances riders on a motorcycle do not have to wear a helmet. I am not going to debate the issue of should person wear or not wear a helmet. Having a choice is a wonderful thing, so is responsibility. 

I would like to remind all drivers to “look twice and save a life.” This saying works not only when looking for motorcycles, but also for every day driving.  Another motorcycle saying is, “Motorcycle operators should always drive defensively because in a crash, even if you are right, you lose.”  And with all vehicles, remember to keep the rubber side down.

I want to bring a recent State of Michigan, Court of Appeals decision in the case of State of Michigan versus Rodney Lee Koon regarding the use of Medical Marijuana and driving a motor vehicle. The court of appeals ruled, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act (MMMA) does not allow a person to operate a motor vehicle with marijuana in their system  

Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 257.625(8) states, “A person, whether licensed or not, shall not operate a vehicle upon a highway or other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles, including an area designated for the parking of vehicles, within this state if the person has in his or her body any amount of a controlled substance listed in schedule 1 under section 7212 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7212, or a rule promulgated under that section, or of a controlled substance described in section 7214(a)(iv) of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.7214.”  Marijuana is listed as a schedule 1 controlled substance.”

The court also stated, “Driving is a particularly dangerous activity; Schedule 1 substances are considered particularly inimical to a drivers’ ability to remain in maximally safe control of their vehicles; and the danger of failing to do so affects not only the driver, but anyone else in the vicinity”

Lighting license plates still mandatory

Theresa May, of Flint, MI asks if lights are still required for registration plates even though the registration plates are reflective.

The answer is yes, a light is required to illuminate a registration plate.  MCL 257.686(2) states, “Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and placed so as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of 50 feet to the rear. A tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be wired so as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted.” 

If you have a question, please send it to askatrooper12@gmail.com or mail it to the Michigan State Police – Brighton Post, 4803 S. Old US-23, Brighton, MI   48114.