(Source: MIRS.news, Published 06/04/2024) Causing injury to a biker, pedestrian, skateboarder or anyone else not in an automobile user could mean five years in prison for the driver, under legislation that passed the House Tuesday.
If a crash kills a vulnerable roadway user, it could mean 10 years, according to an amendment from Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) that lowered the penalty from 15 years to 10 years.
HB 5223 passed, 79-23, while HB 5224 passed, 78-30. Rep. Nancy DeBoer (R-Holland) and Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) were not present today.
Bill sponsor Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) said this Friday is the eighth anniversary of Michigan's deadliest bicycle tragedy, when five cyclists in a cycling club known as the Chain Gang were killed by a reckless driver, with even more sustaining injuries. One member and survivor of the crash testified in committee in April.
As a physical therapist, Rogers said the rehabilitation process is challenging, but for victims of these accidents, it is equally devastating and retraumatizing when the driver is not held accountable.
Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Osseo), one no vote, said his hesitation was the same as it was in committee – the penalties handed down to a driver would be the same even if the vulnerable road user is being unsafe, like biking without reflectors or wearing dark clothes at night.
Fink also said there is a "disjointed conversation" between the Senate and House introduced versions of the bills, and not being able to see the bills altogether is causing hesitation for some members.
