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Know the Law – Steer It and Clear It

Posted at 5:15 AM, Dec 16, 2017
and last updated 2018-01-02 15:18:09-05

Steer It, Clear It” law applies only to minor collisions where no one is injured

  • Each year, there are thousands of auto accidents in Michigan that do not involve any injuries or fatalities – “Steer It, Clear It” applies to these crashes
  • Historically, drivers have been taught to leave their vehicles “as is” after a crash
  • A 2012 study found that most Michigan drivers do move their vehicles to the side of the road after a minor accident, but that most don’t know they are legally required to do so

Law requires that vehicles involved in a minor crash be moved out of road/to side of road

  • Law applies to vehicles that are drivable
  • Look for safe place to move vehicle: shoulder, emergency lane, median – then call police
  • You can be ticketed for not moving your vehicle out of roadway
  • Law protects: (1) you from any further danger, (2) your vehicle from any further damage, (3) first responders who may arrive and (4) motorists behind you in traffic

When a driver moves a vehicle under the “Steer It, Clear It’ law, it is not evidence of fault 

  • Law specifically says that moving vehicle is not evidence of fault
  • Police, emergency responders, tow truck drivers – all first responders – are fully aware of the law – they are trained to communicate the law to drivers involved in minor accidents
  • Insurance companies are fully aware of the law as well (i.e., not evidence of fault)