Michigan Compiled Laws
Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.626b (2026)
Careless or negligent operation of vehicle as civil infraction.
✓ current as of July 2026
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MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE
Act 300 of 1949
257.626b Careless or negligent operation of vehicle as civil infraction.
Sec. 626b.
A person who operates a vehicle upon a highway or a frozen public lake, stream, or pond or other place open to the general public including an area designated for the parking of vehicles in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness, is responsible for a civil infraction.
History: Add. 1965, Act 262, Eff. Mar. 31, 1966 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 25
cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1974–2025 · leading case: Freed v. Salas, 780 N.W.2d 844 (Mich. Ct. App. 2009).
Freed v. Salas, 780 N.W.2d 844 (Mich. Ct. App. 2009). “627 (driver shall operate at a careful and prudent speed, keep a proper lookout and shall not operate at a speed that will not allow for a stop within the *862 assured clear distance ahead) and MCL 257.”
People v. Barbarich, 807 N.W.2d 56 (Mich. Ct. App. 2011). “626 (reckless driving, a misdemeanor), MCL 257.626b (careless or negligent operation of a motor vehicle, a civil infraction), or MCL 257.”
People v. Abramczyk, 415 N.W.2d 249 (Mich. Ct. App. 1987). “We also sua sponte directed the parties to brief the following issues: "(a) whether the decriminalization of traffic offenses under MCL 257.626b [MSA 9.2326(2)] has any effect on the ability of the State to charge defendant with negligent homicide for an act of ordinary…”
People v. Marshall, 255 N.W.2d 351 (Mich. Ct. App. 1977). “2326 continued the punishment of 90 days in jail or $100 fine upon conviction of reckless driving, while MCLA 257.626b; MSA 9.2326(2) added the punishment of 10 days in jail or $100 fine upon conviction of careless or negligent driving.”
Westfall v. Glass (In Re Glass), 207 B.R. 850 (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 1997). “Mich.Comp.Laws § 257.626b, amended by 1978 Mich.”
Poch v. Anderson, 580 N.W.2d 456 (Mich. Ct. App. 1998). “2326, careless driving, MCL 257.626b; MSA 9.2326(2), violation of speed restrictions, MCL 257.”
People v. Parisi, 222 N.W.2d 757 (Mich. 1974). “2326 3 and MCLA 257.626b; MSA 9.2326(2) 4 . The record does not afford sufficient indication that the reason expressed justified the stop of the automobile.”
People v. Loukas, 304 N.W.2d 532 (Mich. Ct. App. 1981). “Pursuant to a plea-bargain agreement, the charge of reckless driving was dropped and one count of careless driving, MCL 257.626b; MSA 9.2326(2), was added. Defendant then pled nolo contendere to resisting arrest *206 and careless driving in the Oakland County Circuit Court.”
People v. Peebles, 550 N.W.2d 589 (Mich. Ct. App. 1996). “See MCL 257.626b; MSA 9.2326(2). A reasonable suspicion of either theft or careless driv *666 ing would have provided a legitimate basis for stopping defendant.”
People of Michigan v. Timothy John Otto (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). “” It explicitly proscribes a manner of driving, while reckless driving does not. Compare MCL 257.626b with MCL 257.626(2).”
People v. Greenlee, 350 N.W.2d 313 (Mich. Ct. App. 1984). “MCL 257.626b; MSA 9.2326(2). The district court, in part, ordered criminal probation.”
Est. of Deborah Klapp v. Mark Alan Bono (Mich. Ct. App. 2020). “After the close of the parties’ proofs, plaintiff requested that that the trial court instruct the jury that, if it found that Bono was driving carelessly or recklessly, pursuant to MCL 257.626b, then it could infer negligence on his behalf.”
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.626b(1) — 1 case
O People of Michigan v. David Allan Lucynski (Mich. Ct. App. 2023).
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