Grand Rapids is well known for being one of the largest cities in the state of Michigan. The city itself is situated on the Grand River and is in close proximity to Lake Michigan. Despite being a relatively small city in comparison to other major American metropolises, Grand Rapids attracts plenty of tourists to the area for their art museums and breweries. If you’re one of the thousands of residents that calls Grand Rapids home, you probably own a car to help you navigate around the city.

Grand Rapids isn’t known for its public transport, so a vehicle is key in helping you get from ‘A’ to ‘B.’ If you do have a vehicle, proper auto insurance is one of the best ways to ensure you don’t expose yourself to large costs. Our company is dedicated to helping you find affordable auto insurance quotes – we feel the average auto insurance provider charges too much. This article will also provide you with all the information you need to drive safely!

Grand Rapids: Driving Conditions in the City

If you want to drive safely in Grand Rapids, it’s very important that you remain aware of potential hazards on the road. Grand Rapids doesn’t suffer from the same types of traffic issues that we see inside other American cities. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other hazards on the roads.

In Grand Rapids, winters can be extremely harsh – the roads can often be covered with ice and snow. Driving in these conditions can be very dangerous – you don’t want to be ill-prepared for this type of weather. Make sure that you keep up-to-date with local news and weather reports if you want to avoid icy conditions. If you don’t have experience driving in these conditions, you should avoid it at all costs.

Driving Safely in Grand Rapids, Michigan

There are plenty of things you can do to drive safely in Grand Rapids. One of the best ways to stay safe on the roads is to obey local rules and regulations. Road laws differ drastically throughout the United States, so it’s important to remain aware of the different rules in each area. If you’re going to be driving in Grand Rapids, you need to make sure to obey local laws. It will save you from fines and potential accidents. Below are the most prominent road rules in Grand Rapids:

Phone/Handheld Laws in Grand Rapids

Michigan has recently updated their distracted driving laws to outlaw texting and driving. As smartphone use increases, so does the risks associated with distracted driving. In Michigan, it is now illegal to text and drive at the same time. If you are caught, you could face a fine of up to $100 for a first offense. Make sure to avoid using your phone while driving in the state of Michigan – it’s dangerous and it can cost you money, too.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Grand Rapids

If you have a child riding in a car in Michigan, they have to be in a car seat if they are under the age of four. If they are ore over the age of four, but under the age of eight, they have to be secured in a booster seat. The only exception is if the child has reached a height of 4’ 9” prior to turning eight years old. Make sure that you secure your child properly before every drive, their safety is vitally important.

Helmet Laws in Grand Rapids

Helmet laws in the state of Michigan apply to motorcycle riders in Grand Rapids. If you are under the age of 21, you must wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle anywhere in the state. If you are over the age of 21, you can technically choose not to wear a helmet if you don’t want to. This being said, you have to have $20,000 in applicable medical coverage to ride without a helmet. It is extremely dangerous riding without a motorcycle helmet, so make sure to strap one on next time you head out for a ride.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of road deaths in the United States. Despite serious efforts to reduce impaired driving on US roads, it remains a problem within the country. If you want to avoid impaired driving, you need to understand the laws in your state. Those driving in Grand Rapids are subject to Michigan intoxication laws.

In Michigan, you can be charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) if you are over the age of 21 and have a BAC of .08 or higher. But you can also receive a OWVI if you are under this limit but appear to be visually impaired. If you are under the age of 21, the OWI limit is reduced to .02. Because you can be charged under the limit, you need to be especially careful in Michigan.

The first-time you get caught, you can face up to 93 nights in jail, a month of license suspension, fines, and ignition locks. As you can see, there are serious consequences for breaking this law. In addition, if you are extremely intoxicated the punishments can be more severe.

Grand Rapids Statistics

Michigan has dangerous roads – the best way to assess this is to look at crash statistics across the state. There were over 280,000 traffic accidents in 2011 – many of these accidents occurred because of vehicles travelling too quickly. Make sure to stay aware while on Michigan roads.

Verdict

As you can see, there’s plenty to keep in mind if you plan on driving in Michigan. You don’t want to increase your chances of an accident by being an ignorant driver. Auto insurance can help you reduce the chances that you have to pay large sums out of pocket – a comprehensive plan can also help you cover the costs of theft or weather damage. Make sure to check out some of the auto insurance providers that we recommend on our site!