Lansing, MI – Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed six significant pieces of legislation into law on Tuesday morning, aimed at improving roadway safety across Michigan. The new measures focus on construction zones, school buses, and a memorial to a fallen state trooper.
The legislation addresses pressing safety concerns by introducing technology to monitor road work zones, enhancing enforcement for drivers ignoring school bus stop signs, and honoring the memory of a Michigan State Police officer who died in the line of duty.
Among the key bills, HB 4132 and HB 4133 will implement the use of safety cameras in marked road work zones across Michigan. The technology, which is already in use in at least 23 other states, is designed to curb speeding and improve safety for construction workers on Michigan’s highways.
Rep. Will Snyder (D-Muskegon), who sponsored HB 4132, stressed that the new law would protect road workers while they maintain and repair the state’s infrastructure. “Maintaining Michigan’s roads is vital for our state’s economic development and success,” Snyder said. “In order to accomplish this, we must first ensure that our road workers are safe while doing their jobs.”
The legislature also took steps to improve the safety of children traveling to and from school. HB 4928, HB 4929, and HB 4920 will equip school buses with cameras that can capture the license plates of vehicles that fail to stop when a bus’s stop arm is extended. The bills aim to reduce the number of drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses, a serious hazard to student safety.
Fines collected from violators will be directed back to local school districts, providing additional funding for transportation safety initiatives. Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), who sponsored the bills, emphasized the importance of the measure. “As a former teacher, student safety matters a great deal to me. Far too many drivers ignore stop signals on school buses, putting children at risk,” he said. “This legislation gives law enforcement the tools they need to ensure kids’ safe travel to and from school.”
In a more somber moment, HB 5717 designates a portion of Interstate 75 in Saginaw County as the Trooper Joel E. Popp Memorial Highway. This bill honors the memory of Trooper Joel E. Popp, who tragically lost his life while responding to a traffic accident in January 2024.
Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), who sponsored the bill, reflected on the loss of a dedicated officer. “It is a bittersweet day—a day of remembrance and honor,” O’Neal said. “Our hometown tragically lost Trooper Joel E. Popp during a traffic stop. A portion of I-75 will now bear Popp’s name and recognize him, his work, and his dedication as a trooper and as a family man. May he always be remembered.”
The six new bills mark a significant step forward in Michigan’s efforts to ensure the safety of both workers and the public on its roadways. From protecting road crews in construction zones to safeguarding school children and honoring fallen officers, the legislation reflects a comprehensive approach to improving safety across the state’s transportation system.
Governor Whitmer’s signing of the bills highlights her commitment to enhancing public safety and ensuring Michigan’s roads are safer for everyone. The measures come as part of a broader initiative to invest in infrastructure and support law enforcement and public safety efforts statewide.
