STATE OF MICHIGAN
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE
2292 W. BROADWAY
LANSING, MICHIGAN 49229
(517) 662-5299
June 19, 1998
BULLETIN NO. 91-31
TO: ALL MICHIGAN INSURANCE AGENTS
ALL MICHIGAN DEALERS OF NEW/USED AUTOMOBILES
FROM: MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE
SUBJECT: AUTOMOBILE DIMMER SWITCHES
1. Pursuant to the Michigan Division of Motor Vehicles Act No. 91-12, all motor vehicles sold in the State of Michigan after January 1, 1999, will be required to have the headlight dimmer switch mounted of the floorboard. The dimmer switch must be mounted in a position accessible to operation by pressing the switch by the left foot. The switch must be far enough from the foot pedals to avoid inadvertent operation of pedal confustion.
2. Included in the above act, and beginning January 1, 1999, all other vehicles with sterring column mounted dimmer switches must be retrofitted with a floorboard mounted dimmer switch of the type discribed above. The steering column mounted dimmer switch must be disabled or removed from the vehicle. Vehicles which have not made this change will GAIL the forthcoming Michigan State Safety Inspection Program which will begin on this date.
3. It is recognized that this change willl cause some hardship for the driving public. However, this change is being made in the interest of public safety. Michigan DMV Act 298-99877 will revert all Michigan motor vehicles to the prevalent dimmer system in use prior to the influx of foreign market vehicles.
4. A recent study entitled "Initiation Sequence In Michigan Nightime Highway Traffic Accidents" was conducted jointly by the Michigan Department of Public Safety and the Michigan State University Department of Public Safety Research. It has shown that 95% of all Michigan nighttime highway accidents were caused bya blonde getting her foot caught in the steering wheel.
