Michigan’s construction workers may feel a bit safer on the shoulders of the state’s roads.
A bill proposed by state Sen. Bill Bullard, R-Highland, would increase penalties motorists face if they injure or cause the death of a roadworker. The Senate Transportation and Tourism Committee will discuss the bill today.
“I am hoping this sends a signal to be more careful in construction zones,” said Bullard, who serves as chairman of the committee.
If passed, the bill would create two new penalties. If a motorist injures a worker, he or she would receive a misdemeanor, a $1,000 fine and up to two years in jail.
If the worker is killed, the motorist would be fined $7,500 and face up to 15 years in prison for the felony. The motorist would face an additional five years of incarceration if he or she was impaired by alcohol or illegal drugs.
“Construction zones should be a safe haven for workers,” Bullard said. “To have someone drive in that area and injure someone is bad.”
Amy MacAlister said when she drives she uses caution in construction zones, but sees many other motorists ignore the workers and continue to drive at normal speeds.
“I usually try to pull over in my lane to give them some room and slow down,” the English and journalism senior said. “Construction people are already at high risk of getting hurt on the job.”
She said she supports the Senate’s effort to protect the workers.
“I wouldn’t want anyone to be accidentally hit by a car,” MacAlister said.
State Sen. George Hart, D-Dearborn, said support for the bill should be bipartisan.
“The Legislature will support this regardless if it is a Republican or Democratic bill,” said Hart, who serves on the committee. “It is in the interest of public safety. Those are good bills.
“I am totally in support of the legislation to protect road workers; if we have to invoke stiffer penalties, we will.”
Hart said he hopes this bill will protect workers, like a recently enacted law that protects emergency personnel and police by requiring motorists to clear a lane for them to work and pass by.
“This is a serious issue, we have lost two people in the last few months after they have been struck on a highway,” he said.
Bob D’Alcorn, managing director of the Ingham County Road Commission, said he thinks the legislation will protect workers in his division.
“I would be in favor of it; it is very difficult to get motorists to slow down. Despite the police’s efforts, there are still a number of accidents,” D’Alcorn said.
D’Alcorn said he hopes the bill will protect all those working on the roadways, including maintenance and construction people.
“This is good timing to get this through because construction season is starting,” he said. “A lot of projects are done under traffic, like paving and maintenance.”
The road commission will start construction on Farm Lane early next month.
Ari Adler, spokesman for Michigan Department of Transportation, said MDOT supports the bill and hopes it continues to raise motorist awareness and caution in the work zones.
MDOT has committed $320,000 to provide additional enforcement of laws near construction zones. Also MDOT has worked to provide training to workers on how to make themselves safer.
“This bill is looking at what we can do to protect workers,” Adler said. “But it is more likely to be injured as a motorist in a construction zone. We want to protect all people in the work zone.”
