Michigan bill aims to repeal mirror obstruction law

Michigan residents who want to hang a set of fuzzy dice from their rearview mirror could be in luck soon.

The Michigan Senate unanimously approved Oct. 14 a bill repealing the mirror obstruction law. It still needs approval from the House of Representatives and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, but little resistance is expected.

“We have the support of the state police,” said State Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, who sponsored the bill. “I think it’s a good personal rights bill.”

The bill could take a year to go through the House, but Jelinek believes it will go through sooner rather than later.

Items such as fuzzy dice, rosaries, graduation tassels and small global positioning system devices will be allowed. In the past, only items such as handicapped placards were allowed to hang from a rearview mirror.

The bill originally allowed any item, but Jelinek said exceptions were made for items that truly obstruct vision, such as a basketball or disco ball.

A non-issue

Jelinek’s main concern is the law originally was used to profile drivers instead of citing them for a violation.

“I considered it a “gotcha” law. We don’t like profiling, we don’t like excuses,” Jelinek said. “If you get pulled over, it shouldn’t be for an excuse. It’s a crazy way for you to be stopped.”

The current fine for obstructed vision at the Isabella County courthouse is $105, but the Mount Pleasant Police Department rarely tickets anyone for it.

“That change makes sense. I can’t recall writing a ticket for this (mirror obstruction) in the last few years,” said MPPD Inspector Tom Forsberg. “It would have a very limited impact on our operations.”

The Michigan State Police also rarely writes tickets for mirror obstruction.

“In my experience, it’s certainly nothing I make a primary stop on,” said Trooper Chris Pietrantonio of the Mount Pleasant post.

The police can still pull people over until the law is approved. Pietrantonio said police usually only issue a warning and ask that the item be removed.