Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.59a (2026)

“Shoulder” and “ditch slope” defined.

✓ current as of July 2026

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MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE

Act 300 of 1949

257.59a “Shoulder” and “ditch slope” defined.

Sec. 59a.

"Shoulder" means that portion of the highway contiguous to the roadway generally extending the contour of the roadway, not designed for vehicular travel but maintained for the temporary accommodation of disabled or stopped vehicles otherwise permitted on the roadway.

"Ditch slope" is that portion of the highway adjacent to the shoulder if one exists or adjacent to the roadway on roads without shoulders, extending to the bottom of the roadside ditch and is not constructed or maintained for the use of any vehicles except those engaged in construction or maintenance.

History: Add. 1974, Act 152, Imd. Eff. June 12, 1974

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1989–2006 · leading case: Gregg v. State High. Dep't, 458 N.W.2d 619 (Mich. 1990).

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Gregg v. State High. Dep't, 458 N.W.2d 619 (Mich. 1990). · cites it 8× “" MCL 257.59a; MSA 9.1859(1). Post, p 321. That the Legislature did not in our view intend this to be a definition of vehicular travel under § 2 of the governmental immunity act is made evident by another section of the Motor Vehicle Code which states: "`Shoulder' means that…”

Grimes v. Dep't of Transp., 715 N.W.2d 275 (Mich. 2006). · cites it 2× “[45] MCL 257.59a (emphasis added). [46] Gregg, supra at 315 , 458 N.”

People v. Rogers, 475 N.W.2d 717 (Mich. 1991). · cites it 2× “Therefore, there can be no arguing whether the snowmobile in this case was being driven on the highway. It was. [2] I refer to the definition of "vehicle" rather than "motor vehicle" because the OUIL statute at issue here refers to the former, more expansive term.”

United S. Assurance Co. v. Aetna Life & Cas. Ins., 474 N.W.2d 131 (Mich. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “Plaintiffs argue that under MCL 257.59a; MSA 9.1859(1), the shoulder of the highway is designed for the temporary accommodation of stopped vehicles and that a vehicle is not parked so as to create an unreasonable risk of a rear end collision merely because it is stopped on the…”

Wills v. State Farm Ins. Cos., 468 N.W.2d 511 (Mich. 1991). · cites it 2× “[MCL 257.59a; MSA 9.1859(1). Emphasis added.”

Wills v. State Farm Ins. Companies, 443 N.W.2d 396 (Mich. Ct. App. 1989). “However, we believe the validity of that conclusion has been called into question by the Legislature’s enactment of MCL 257.59a; MSA 9.1859(1) wherein "shoulder” is defined as being that portion of the highway contiguous to the roadway "not designed for vehicular travel but…”

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