Changes to Michigan's abandoned-vehicle regs

Michigan's new regulations regarding abandoned vehicles have gone into effect, and probably the largest impact on the majority of residents are changes that require the seller of a vehicle to either accompany the new owner to a local Secretary of State office to transfer the title, or to obtain a bill of sale from buyer. While such an action has always been wise, it's especially important now, as the previous owner may become responsible for all fees and fines associated with an abandoned vehicle if the new owner does not officially transfer the title before, say, leaving a vehicle for dead alongside the highway. Those that feel the need to leave their mess for others to clean up now face a $2,500 fine for "littering with an abandoned vehicle", which obviously is far more expensive than getting a heap towed to the local junkyard.