New Driving Laws Take Effect Today — Here’s What You Need to Know or Face Fines

Michigan’s updated car seat regulations, designed to improving child safety , comes into force today—imposing penalties for non-compliant drivers.

The revised regulations pertain to kids aged 13 and younger, mandating more stringent seating provisions according to their age and dimensions.

Babies under two years of age require a rear-facing car seat for safety, with this configuration permitted in the front seat solely when the airbag has been turned off.

After turning two years old, they will need to use a forward-facing car seat until reaching the age of five.

Children aged five to eight should use a belt-positioning booster seat along with both a lap and shoulder strap.

Once they turn eight years old, they can stop using the booster seat unless their height or weight deems itunsafe.

Children who reach almost five feet in height before they turn eight years old can bypass using a booster seat.

Motorists who do not comply with the updated regulations will be subject to a $65 penalty, which comprises a $25 civil fine, court expenses, and a $40 charge for the justice system.

New 2025 Driving Laws

• A legislation in California bans drivers from parking their vehicles within 20 feet of any crosswalk.
• Tougher sanctions for street racing in California
• Updates to Car Seat Age and Weight Guidelines in Colorado
• Penalties for not adhering to specified entry and exit points for express lanes in Colorado
• Prohibitions against using handheld devices when driving in Colorado and Missouri
• In Illinois, drivers are permitted to carry a digital version of their license on their smartphones.
• Give priority to emergency vehicles when driving in Illinois.
• Drivers in Kentucky must undergo a vision test when they apply to renew their driver’s license.
• Oregon school bus safety legislation
• Vehicle safety checks eliminated in Texas

The legislators introduced these new regulations because automobile accidents represent the leading cause of death among young children in Michigan.

'During the previous twenty years, Michigan saw an increase in the usage of Child Restraint Devices for children under 4 years old, rising from 74.5 percent in 1997 to 98.2 percent in 2018.' Michigan Department of Highway Safety Planning said in 2022.

Despite these improvements, 61 percent of children under 4 years old who died in vehicle collisions in Michigan between 2017 and 2021 were not secured in a rear- or forward-facing child restraint device.

The Michigan State Police think these laws might reduce the risk of death by as much as 50 percent.

The new regulations have also been introduced following the turmoil across the US due to the approaching deadline. get a Real ID for traveling .

The Department of Homeland Security verified passengers boarding domestic flights Without a passport, you'll require a government-issued ID by May 7.

The significant demand led DMVs across states like New Jersey and Tennessee to extend their operational hours to better serve individuals requiring these IDs.

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