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Laws and penalties

A Farmington Hills motorcycle police officer doing speed enforcement on southbound I-275 in Metro Detroit.
Department of Transportation

Laws and penalties

Many motorists are still driving too fast or distracted through work zones, endangering our vulnerable road workers. You risk more than just a speeding ticket if you go too fast - you also face tough penalties and death or serious injury to you and your passengers. 

Michigan is serious about the safety of workers and motorists, so slow down and give work zones your full attention!

Penalties

Tough work zone laws could cost you

Doubled fines

In 1997, state lawmakers doubled the fines for speeding in work zones.

More points

Public Act 149 of 2002 increased the number of points assessed for speeding in a work zone:

  • 3 points for speeding 10 mph or less over the posted limit.
  • 4 points for speeding more than 10 mph but not more than 15 mph over the limit.
  • 5 points for speeding more than 15 mph over the limit.

Motorists who accumulate 12 or more points in a two-year period will be required to undergo a driver assessment reexamination with the Michigan Secretary of State. Depending on the outcome of the reexamination, the driver's license may be restricted, suspended or revoked.

Increased insurance rates

When drivers have points assessed to their driver records, their insurance rates generally increase. Michigan law allows insurers to add a surcharge to the insurance policy of drivers with poor driving records to cover the anticipated costs associated with high crash risk.

Michigan State Police patrolling an MDOT work zone.

Andy's law

Jail and fines

Public Act 103, known as Andy's Law, took effect Oct. 1, 2001. The law creates penalties of up to one year in prison for injuring and up to 15 years in prison for killing a highway construction or maintenance worker. It also imposes a maximum penalty of $7,500. The law is named for Andrew Lefko, a 19-year-old who was left paralyzed after being hit while working on I-275 in Metro Detroit.

In 2003, Andy's Law was strengthened by the passage of Public Act 315. Now, work zones are marked with "Work Zone Begins" and "End Road Work" signs. "Begin Work Convoy" and "End Work Convoy" signs are used for mobile crews traveling along roads as workers paint lane lines or patch potholes. Speed limit signs also are required in work zones marked with "Work Zone Begins" signs.

Public Act 315 lowers the threshold at which driving offenses can trigger Andy's Law penalties. The law now includes penalties for driving offenses such as careless driving or speeding, which are considered civil offenses. The law also applies to criminal offenses such as reckless or drunken driving.

Injure or kill a worker sign denoting $7500 fine and 15 years in prison.

Andy's law update

Andy's Law broadened in 2008. Public Acts 296 and 297 of 2008 impose fines of up to $7,500 and 15 years in jail for motorists who injure or kill ANYONE in a road construction work zone. Previously, under Andy's Law, similar penalties were applicable if a motorist injured or killed a road worker.

House Bill 4468 (2008 PA 296), introduced by Rep. Pam Byrnes, extends the penalties to motorists who hit anyone in a work zone, and House Bill 4469 (2008 PA 297), introduced by Rep. Barb Byrum, provides sentencing guidelines for motorists who cause injury or death to another person in a work zone.