By Rina Miller, Michigan Radio
Nearly 4,400 pedestrians and bicyclists were hit by vehicles in Michigan last year. 178 of those people died. Two proposals in Lansing would expand penalties for drivers who cause those accidents.
State Representative David Nathan of Detroit says everybody needs to do a better job of sharing the road. But he says when it comes to motor vehicle versus human being, it's no contest. "Making the penalties tougher should reduce the amount of injuries and accidents we have because it will make people pay attention more," he says.
The bills include possible jail time and fines, even if a victim isn't seriously injured. They also call for up to 15 years in prison for a driver who kills a pedestrian, bicyclist or person in a wheelchair.
"Folks on bicycles deserve the same protections we're giving to farmers and other folks -- you know, road construction workers," says Representative Ed McBroom.