Michigan Drivers can Stillโค Sleep at Rest Areas, But New Rules Loom for Extended โstays
LANSING – Despite the planned โclosureโ of fiveโค Michigan โคrest areas this winter, it remains legalโค for travelers to sleep in their โvehicles at theโ state’s remaining rest areas,โ but newโ regulations under consideration by the Michigan Department ofโฃ Transportation (MDOT) โคcould require permitsโฃ for โlonger stays. The evolving rules aimโค to address issues โthat have โarisen at rest areas,โข while clarifyingโ that their primary purpose is to โprovide aโ safe place for drivers to โฃrestโค during travel.
MDOT is currentlyโฃ reviewing publicโ feedbackโข on a draft of rules โฃthat would โlikely necessitate a special permitโ for individuals โneedingโ to leave a vehicle atโข a restโ area, or carpool with a vehicle remaining at the location, โforโ more than 48โข hours. According to MDOT spokeswoman Jocelyn โGarza, theโ proposed โregulations stem from specificโ situations encountered at rest areas. “All โthe rules address specific situations that have occurredโ at rest areas,” sheโข said.
The concern thatโ the new rules would prohibit resting at rest areas is unfounded, Garza emphasized. โ”The intention ofโ a โrest area is for โฃsomebody to comeโ and sleep โขand make sure they’re safe when they’re back behind the wheel, they โคfeel rested enough to be driving.”
MDOT is closing the followingโฃ rest areas this winter:
*โ Northbound US-23 near Clarkston
* Southbound US-23 near โฃClarkston
* Northbound I-75 near Hillโ Road
* Southbound I-75โ near hill Road
* Eastbound I-94โ near New Buffalo
Readers with questions about Michiganโ laws can submit them to isitlegal@freepress.com for investigation.
