Is It Illegal To Cut Through Parking Lots In Michigan?

We've all done it at least once, or have at least thought about it.

You're sitting at a red light, maybe a stop sign, and there is the trusty old convenient store. The temptation to cut through it to avoid that light to go grab lunch, or not be late to work... it's a real thing.

So, is that legal?

Is It Legal To Cut Through A Parking Lot To Avoid A Red Light?

It's very tempting to cut through that parking lot to get to lunch faster or to even just avoid being late for work.

There she sits... the gas station. Just a quick turn to avoid that stop light, right? It's totally legal, right?

Well, it's not!

It IS Illegal To Cut Through Parking Lots To Avoid Lights In Michigan

At any point while on the roadway in Michigan, you must obey all traffic control devices that are displayed, unless otherwise directed by authorities.

The Michigan Law states, that a driver will not cut through a stop light to avoid a traffic signal.

The driver of a vehicle shall not, for the purpose of avoiding obedience to a traffic control device placed in accordance with this chapter, drive upon or through private property, or upon or through public property which is not a street or highway.

Next time you attempt to cut through that parking lot in Michigan, you might want to think twice.