Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.669 (2026)

Vehicles required to activate hazard warning lights and stop at railroad track grade crossing; driver to listen and look in both directions; shifting gears prohibited; exceptions; "inactive railroad track" defined; violation as civil infraction.

✓ current as of July 2026

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MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE

Act 300 of 1949

257.669 Vehicles required to activate hazard warning lights and stop at railroad track grade crossing; driver to listen and look in both directions; shifting gears prohibited; exceptions; "inactive railroad track" defined; violation as civil infraction.

Sec. 669.

(1) Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), and (4), the driver of a motor vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers including the driver, a motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, or a motor vehicle that is required to be marked or placarded under 49 CFR parts 100 to 180, before crossing a railroad track at grade, shall activate the vehicle hazard warning lights and stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. While stopped, the driver shall listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching railroad train or other on-track equipment and for signals indicating the approach of a railroad train or other on-track equipment, and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely. After stopping as required in this subsection, and upon proceeding when it is safe to do so, the driver of the vehicle shall cross only in a gear of the vehicle that does not require changing gears while traversing the crossing. The driver shall not shift gears while crossing the track or tracks.

(2) A stop need not be made at a railroad track grade crossing where a police officer or a traffic-control signal directs traffic to proceed.

(3) A stop need not be made at an inactive railroad track grade crossing. As used in this subsection, "inactive railroad track" means a railroad track that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) The track has been covered or removed.

(b) All signs, signals, and other warning devices are removed.

(4) A stop shall not be made at a railroad grade crossing marked with a sign reading "exempt". Exempt signs may be erected only by or with the consent of the state transportation department after notice to and an opportunity to be heard by the primary railroad operating over that crossing.

(5) A person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

History: 1949, Act 300, Eff. Sept. 23, 1949 ;-- Am. 1965, Act 235, Imd. Eff. July 21, 1965 ;-- Am. 1967, Act 99, Eff. Sept. 1, 1967 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 510, Eff. Aug. 1, 1979 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 612, Imd. Eff. Jan. 6, 1979 ;-- Am. 1988, Act 383, Eff. Apr. 1, 1989 ;-- Am. 1990, Act 188, Eff. Aug. 15, 1990 ;-- Am. 1995, Act 248, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 1995 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 534, Eff. Oct. 1, 2002 ;-- Am. 2015, Act 128, Imd. Eff. July 15, 2015 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 394, Eff. Mar. 19, 2019

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1955–1959 · leading case: Johnson v. New York Cent. R.R., 97 N.W.2d 769 (Mich. 1959).

Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment

Johnson v. New York Cent. R.R., 97 N.W.2d 769 (Mich. 1959). · cites it 2× “) Defendant further urges that plaintiff failed to comply with CLS 1956, § 257.669 (Stat Ann 1952 Rev § 9.2369), which provides as follows: "(a) The driver of any motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, or of any school bus carrying any school child, or of any vehicle…”

United States Fire Ins. v. Grand Trunk W. R.R., 73 N.W.2d 905 (Mich. 1955). “PA 1949, No 300, § 669 (CLS 1954, §257.669 [Stat Ann 1952 Eev § 9.2369]), provides: “(a) The driver of any motor vehicle # * * •weighing over 10,000 pounds, including the load thereon, before crossing at grade any track or tracks •of a railroad, shall stop such vehicle within 50…”

Us Fire Ins. Co. v. Gtwr Co., 73 N.W.2d 905 (Mich. 1955). “PA 1949, No 300, § 669 (CLS 1954, § 257.669 [Stat Ann 1952 Rev § 9.2369]), provides: "(a) The driver of any motor vehicle * * * weighing over 10,000 pounds, including the load thereon, before crossing at grade any track or tracks of a railroad, shall stop such vehicle within 50…”

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