Question

A Michigan state law requires the use of snow tires if more than 4 inches of snow falls per hour. Paul, an Illinois driver owns a car where snow tires cost $1000 per tire so Paul decides not to purchase them. Last month during a surprise snowstorm Paul found himself in Michigan when 6 inches of snow fell in less than an hour. Michigan state troopers stop Paula and confiscate his car. Paul sues. Discuss whether Michigan violated any of Pauls constitutional rights.

Answer 1

A Michigan state law requires the use of snow tires if more than 4 inches of snow falls per hour. This is the state legal law and needs to be compiled by all citizen/visitors.

Paul, an Illinois driver owns a car where snow tires cost $1000 per tires, so Paul decides not to purchase them. Paul knew that snow tires are needed as per law for certain conditions, but he did not purchase due to high cost.

Last month, during a surprise snowstorm, Paul found himself in Michigan, when 6 inches of snow fell in less than an hour. Michigan state troopers stop Paul and confiscate his car.

Paul sues for this behavior of Michigan troops.

Michigan did not violate any of Paul’s constitutional rights. The action taken by Michigan troops is as per state law, that during the snow fall with 4 inches per hour, the snow tires are mandatory to use in the state in order to avoid any accident and safety issue in the state. The safety issue/accident may result in injury to car driver or other third part injuries.

The Michigan troops taken the action as per the state law, which is to be followed as per legal laws of the state for the safety and precautions of the people in the state due to snow falls.

If there is no snow falls, then the Michigan troops will not have any interaction with Paul for his car. They took action, as the Paul did not meets the desired safety and prevention condition of the state law of Michigan.