A civil rights group is suing Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson over suspended drivers licenses.

Equal Justice Under Law says it's unconstitutional to suspend people's licenses who are too poor to pay traffic fines.

Executive Director Phil Telfeyean says the state could offer poor people alternatives to fines they cannot pay, such as community service, or payment plans.

He notes the state is often pushing people out of jobs they can no longer keep once they lose their driver's licenses.

That means they may no longer pay taxes and the state often ends up paying them benefits to support themselves and their families.