Bill Text: MI HB5610 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Vehicles; equipment; removal of certain towing devices from a vehicle when not in use; require. Amends sec. 721 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.721).

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-10 - Printed Bill Filed 05/10/2012 [HB5610 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2011-HB5610-Introduced.html

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HOUSE BILL No. 5610

 

May 9, 2012, Introduced by Rep. Darany and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

 

     A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled

 

"Michigan vehicle code,"

 

by amending section 721 (MCL 257.721), as amended by 2000 PA 154.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 721. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5),

 

a person shall not operate a passenger vehicle or a pickup truck

 

shall not be driven upon a highway drawing or having attached to

 

the passenger vehicle or pickup truck more than 1 vehicle or

 

trailer.

 

     (2) The drawbar or other connection between 2 vehicles, 1 of

 

which is towing or drawing the other on a highway, shall not exceed

 

15 feet in length from 1 vehicle to the other. If the connection

 

consists of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be displayed upon

 

the connection a red flag or other signal or cloth not less than 12

 

inches both in length and width.

 

     (3) A vehicle or trailer towed or drawn by a vehicle shall be

 

attached to the vehicle with forms of coupling devices in a manner

 

so that when the combination is operated in a linear alignment on a

 

level, smooth, paved surface, the movement of the towed or drawn

 

vehicle or trailer does not deviate more than 3 inches to either

 

side of the path of the towing vehicle that tows or draws it. The

 

vehicle or trailer shall also be connected to the towing vehicle by

 

suitable safety chains or devices, 1 on each side of the coupling

 

and at the extreme outer edge of the vehicle or trailer. Each chain

 

or device and connection used shall be of sufficient strength to

 

haul the vehicle or trailer when loaded. In the case of an

 

implement of husbandry with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross

 

combination weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, the safety

 

chains or devices required under this subsection shall conform to

 

the federal motor carrier safety regulations requirements contained

 

in 49 C.F.R. 393.70(d)(5).49 CFR 393.70(d)(5).

 

     (4) A pickup truck with a fifth wheel assembly shall not tow a

 

semitrailer unless the fifth wheel assembly conforms to the

 

standards prescribed in the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963

 

PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.22.480.25.

 

     (5) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a pickup truck with a

 

towing rating equal to, or greater than, the weight being towed,

 

equipped with a fifth wheel assembly that conforms with the

 

standards prescribed in the motor carrier safety act of 1963, 1963

 

PA 181, MCL 480.11 to 480.22 480.25, towing attached with a

 

semitrailer designed for recreational living purposes may tow an

 

additional trailer or semitrailer under the following conditions:

 

     (a) The additional trailer or semitrailer shall be attached

 

pursuant to as prescribed in subsection (3). The safety chains

 

described in subsection (3) shall be securely attached at the

 

extreme outer edge of the attached trailer or semitrailer with a

 

locking mechanism. The towing vehicle hitch shall be of substantial

 

material and shall be attached in a proper and skillful manner to

 

the frame of the towing vehicle.

 

     (b) The total length of the pickup truck, semitrailer designed

 

for recreational living purposes, and additional trailer or

 

semitrailer, and load, shall not exceed 65 feet on any highways in

 

this state.

 

     (c) The gross weight of the additional trailer or semitrailer

 

towed or drawn shall not exceed the empty weight of the pickup

 

truck or the empty weight of the semitrailer.

 

     (6) For the purposes of this section, a pickup truck towing a

 

semitrailer and additional trailer shall be is considered a

 

passenger vehicle and shall comply with the speed limit

 

requirements of section 627(5).

 

     (7) A person shall not operate a motor vehicle upon a highway

 

with temporary towing devices, including, but not limited to, a

 

ball and hitch, attached to the vehicle unless the motor vehicle is

 

being used for towing purposes.

 

     (8) (7) A person who violates this section is responsible for

 

a civil infraction.