3/22/04-Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law a bill outlawing the unauthorized sale, possession or use of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
Under the bill package – SB842 and SB843 – unlawful sale or purchase of the so-called mobile infrared transmitter, or MIRT, would be a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Unlawful possession would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Anyone who causes a traffic accident using such a device could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. The use of a controller resulting in death would bring a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
The new law takes effect June 14.

3/5/04- Legislation that would outlaw the unauthorized sale, possession or use of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green in Michigan has been sent to Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s desk.
The bill package – SB842 and SB843 – gained overwhelming support in the Senate and House before being sent to the governor March 3.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
Under the legislation sponsored by Sens. Tony Stamas, R-Midland, and Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, anyone who causes a traffic accident using the so-called mobile infrared transmitter, or MIRT, could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. The use of a controller resulting in death would bring a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Unlawful sale or purchase of such a device would be a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, while unlawful possession would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
For bill status, call (517) 373-2400.

11/17/03-A bill introduced in the Senate Nov. 12 would outlaw the unauthorized sale and possession of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green. The proposal also toughens penalties for their improper use.
Anyone who causes a traffic accident using the so-called Mobile Infrared Transmitter could be charged with a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. The use of a controller resulting in death would bring a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Unlawful sale or purchase of such a device would be a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, while unlawful possession of a controller would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Currently, unauthorized use of such controllers is illegal in Michigan.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach. The device has been in use at intersections since the early 1970s.
SB843, sponsored by Sen. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation. For bill status, call (517) 373-2400.
A similar bill – SB842 – also is in the Senate Committee on Transportation.