JUST DRIVE. (MCL 257.602b(9)). Does Michigan Have Laws against Distracted Driving? Avoid a lot of interaction with passengers. (MCL 257.602c(1)) NOTE: The cellphone ban does not apply if a teen driver is using a voice-operated system that is integrated into the motor vehicle. There are 48 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands that ban all drivers from texting while driving. The fines themselves are definitely not worth it, let alone the more serious consequences to you and others on the road. Use our online settlement calculator to get a rough estimate of your potential recoverable damages. (MCL 257.310e(7)). More:Michigan Democrats want to ban 'destructive' practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth, More:Michigan House Democrats want to create state fund for local public safety. 3. There were 14,326 crashes in Michigan in 2020 where the drivers attention was being diverted from driving. Distracted Driving Fact Sheet - April 2023 June 23, 2023 by Steven M. Gursten. Similarly, crashes caused by distractions from hand held devices that allow texting, typing and dialing (whether hand-held or hands-free) dropped 12.5% from 5,281 in 2017 to 4,621 in 2021. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Texting while driving is banned for all drivers in 48 states, but only 24 states prohibit hand-held cell phone use by all drivers. Distracted driving will almost certainly disqualify you from receiving this discount, and this can cause your rate increase to be even more painful. Prosperity Regions 7 & 9 (District 1 - Central), Prosperity Region 10 (District 2 - Metro), Prosperity Regions 5 & 6 (District 3 - Thumb and Tri-Cities), Prosperity Region 8 (District 5 - Southwest), Prosperity Regions 2 & 3 (District 7 - Northern Lower Peninsula). (WXYZ) Put down that phone. Penalties are still pretty low and lenient considering the crash risk involved with distracted driving. Mission Statement of the Michigan State Police. All magnetic phone mounts require you attach a metal plate to your phone in order to use. implied. Also, there were 1,582 auto accidents where the drivers attention was being diverted from driving by an electronic device.. How Much Is Your Michigan Auto Accident Case Worth? Primary enforcement of distracted driving laws means the police can pull you over if they see you violating state distracted driving laws. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that dialing a handheld mobile phone while driving made the driver 12 times more likely to crash.. Find out what your case is really worth. Distracted driving is any activity that takes your focus off the primary task of driving, and Michigan warns drivers of three types of distractions: Every type of distraction increases your risk of committing a moving violation or causing an accident. House Bills 4250, 4251 and 4252 amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to prohibit using a non-hands-free device while driving, with a few exceptions for making calls to emergency services or reporting a crime taking place. Currently this states laws focus primarily on the risks posed by cell phone use, while neglecting a number of other key sources of distraction. Have you ever been behind a driver who seemed to be less in control of their car than you would hope? Sending, receiving, or reading a text message. In a survey conducted by the Office of Highway Safety and Planning, 41% of young adult drivers admitted to regularly sending texts and emails while driving. Michigan Traffic Fatalities 2023: Statistics, Laws & Prevention, Miscarriage After Car Accident: What You Need To Know. The new law makes Michigan the 26th so-called "hands-free state" in the U.S. The underlying science about the dangers of distracted driving is both clear and unrefuted: Teen drivers with a Level 1 or Level 2 graduated license are prohibited from talking on a cell phone while driving regardless of whether theyre using their phone in hands-free or voice-operated mode or whether the cell phone is placed in a mount. This includes: They were approved by the Governor on June 7, 2023. Beginning June 30, it will be prohibited in Michigan to use a cellphone while driving, unless it's being used via a hands-free program or. As of July 1, 2010, Michigan law prohibits texting while driving. Our firm has four conveniently located offices and our attorneys will even drive to you. Lawmakers are currently working toward strengthening distracted driving laws with a ban on the use of handheld devices while driving. Emotions can interfere with driving. (Sources: Governors Highway Safety Association, Distracted Driving, State Laws, June 2023; Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Data Query Tool, 2021 and 2017, Filter Crash: Distracted Driver (2016+), Distracted Driver; Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Data Query Tool, 2021 and 2017, Filter Driver Distraction (2016+), Communication Device (text, type, dial), Hands-Free Device (talk), Hand-Held Device (talk), Electronic Device Other), Maximum stars for this law company and particularly for Mr. Steven Gursten Attorney at Law. . Drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash, according to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Each crash caused by cellphone use represents an avoidable loss of time, resources, and potentially life. No attorney-client relationship is formed nor should any such relationship be Beginning June 30, 2023, police will start issuing citations for violating this law. Steven Gursten is President and Attorney at Michigan Auto Law. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now. If the driver is traveling at 55 mph, then he or she will have driven while effectively blindfolded the entire length of a football field from end zone to end zone during those 4.6 seconds. (MCL 257.602b(13), A $100 fine for a 1st violation and/or 16 hours of community service. Examples include: (1) texting; (2) using the phone; (3) talking on the phone; (4) talking to passengers in your vehicle; (5) surfing the internet; (6) using social media; (7) watching videos; (8) looking at images; (9) using FaceTime or Zoom; (10) using GPS or devices like Waze; and (11) eating or drinking. The science shows that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car crash, and drunk drivers are 4 to 23 times more likely. Kelseys Law, which makes it illegal for teen drivers to use a cell phone while driving, was passed to honor Kelsey Raffaele, 17, of Sault Ste. Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed into lawa bill making it illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads. Lets all just get where were going safely and save the texting until you get home. And they take effect on June 30, 2023. This is not intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney. Top Mistakes Young Drivers Make When Driving. Cell phone usage is associated with 10% of Michigan's distracted driving crashes. Steve has recovered the largest ever auto and truck accident settlement of any Michigan lawyer or law firm. Distraction was a factor in at least 3,157 fatal crashes on American roadways in 2016, which comprised nine percent of all fatal crashes that year, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report would track racial and demographic data on traffic stops for distracted driving, as well as monitor how many crashes, serious injuries and deaths are caused by violations. Distracted driving includes anything that takes away a drivers focus and attention from the road. "Sam Howell" video, Resources for Schools: We have momentum on our side the Michigan House has passed HB 4277, 4278, and 4279, introduced by Reps. Manoogian, Mueller, and Bellino and the Senate is set to take them up. See MALs blog post, Distracted Driving vs Drunk Driving: Punishment Is Unequal: Drivers of all ages would be prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone to engage in any of the following behaviors while driving: (1) sending or receiving a telephone call; (2) sending, receiving, or reading a text message; (3) viewing, recording, or transmitting a video; and (4) accessing, reading, or posting to a social networking site. Air vent mounts work well for semi-eye-level visibility and easily clip onto your air vents, allowing for easy transport from vehicle to vehicle. Even if a cell phone or other device is mounted on your dashboard or connected to your vehicles built-in system, you cannot use your hands to operate it beyond a single touch. Sample Local Press Release Template - April 2023 Distracted driving-related car crashes including those involving texting drivers increased approximately 27% from 1,888 to 2,394 in Michigan between 2016 and 2020. Here's what to know. (MCL 257.602b(6); 257.320a(2)). Drunk driving: In 2017, 42% of all fatal DUIs in the U.S. were caused by drivers ages 16 and 24 years old. According to the governor's office, Ohio recorded a nine percent drop in distracted driving in one month, preventing more than 500 crashes, after the state introduced a hands-free law in April. Our firm has four conveniently located offices and our attorneys will even drive to you. Not only are the crash risks for distracted drivers higher than for non-distracted drivers, but the science shows that distracted drivers can be more dangerous and a bigger threat to people on the road than drunk drivers. Reach out to Michigan Auto Law for a free consultation and sound legal advice. I believe reducing the number of distracted driving accidents that occur is the most important first step we can take today toward making our roads more safe. Driving in Georgia: Georgia's Distracted Driving Laws. We call on Michigan to pass a strengthened hands-free driving law that is easy to enforce, hard to ignore, and effective in making our roadways safer for people who bike, walk, and use wheelchairs. There are three main type. Michigans current ban on texting while driving does not cover many other distractions from phone use behind the wheel. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law a bill making it illegal to hold and use a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle in Michigan. Im very satisfied. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Insurance companies always try to settle auto accident claims as quickly and cheaply as possible. The distracted driving law in Michigan makes it illegal for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device to text, talk on the phone, watch videos or go on social media while driving. The Michigan texting and driving law is intended to stop drivers from using a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device to text while they're behind the wheel. In 2021, the last year with available annual data, there were 2,765 vehicle crashes where cellphone use was a factor, according to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. This legislation has the full backing of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and is expected to become a full-on law in the near future. The penalties for violation of Michigans distracted driving laws may include: (1) a fine of $100 to $250; (2) 16 to 24 hours of community service; (3) repeat offenders get points on the driving records of repeat offenders; and (4) driving school for 3 or more distracted-driving violations in a 3-year period. $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service. Michigan law only specifically prohibits drivers from texting from a cell phone or device that is located in the persons hand or in the persons lap. (MCL 257.602b(1)). Meet the team! Specifically, the laws make it illegal for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device to engage in any of the following four activities while they are driving: Yes. Viewing, recording, or transmitting a video. Learn what you can and cannot do behind the wheel. Yet that will be legal or at least it wont be illegal under the new distracted drivinglaw. Steven Gursten is the current President of the American Association for Justice Distracted Driving Litigation Group. According to data gathered by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), there were 12,788 distracted driving crashes in Michigan in 2016. ContactArpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Very professional and prompt! (MCL 257.602c(4)) There are no fines (MCL 257.907(2)) no points on a persons driving record (MCL 257.320a(2)) no drivers license suspension (MCL 257.319) no jail time, and no community service. A few examples of what you cannot do behind the wheel: You also cannot reach for your phone in a way that takes you out of your seated driving position. Michigan Traffic Fatalities 2023: Statistics, Laws & Prevention, Miscarriage After Car Accident: What You Need To Know. Motor Carrier Regulatory and Credentialing, Vulnerable or Impaired Person (VIP) Enrollment, Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, Seventh District - Northern Lower Peninsula, 2023 DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH CAMPAIGN, Go to Freedom of Information Act Requests, Go to Medical Waivers for Commercial Drivers, Go to Motor Carrier Regulatory and Credentialing, Go to Vulnerable or Impaired Person (VIP) Enrollment, Go to Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN), Go to Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, Go to Michigan Intelligence Operations Center, Go to Statewide Records Management System, Digital Analysis Identification Section (DAIS), Go to Criminal Justice Information Center, Go to Emergency Management & Homeland Security, Laboratory Services - Technical Disciplines, Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA), Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP), Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF), Michigan Intelligence Operations Center (MIOC), Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission, Go to Third District - Thumb and Tri-Cities, Go to Seventh District - Northern Lower Peninsula, Go to District and Post Commander Directory, Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed into law, Distracted Driving Fact Sheet - April 2023, Sample Local Press Release Template - April 2023, Distracted Driving High School Fact Sheet- April 2023, Sample School Social Media Posts - April 2023. If you would like more information about advertising with 13 ON YOUR SIDE, please contact Jeff Olsen at jolsen@wzzm13.com. What Happens When Someone Dies In A Car Accident? Thats why arguably THE most important thing you can do behind the wheel is keep your hands at 10 and 2 and your eyes on the road. It was great and I had no problems. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. There's a proposed new Distracted Driving Law in Michigan, a package of bills that has passed the house and senate, and is working its way to governor Whitmer for a. I also speak regularly to lawyers at legal seminars and to high school students and parents throughout Michigan about the dangers of distracted driving. If you have suffered a personal injury in a car accident caused by someone who violated the Michigan distracted driving laws and you would like to speak with an experienced attorney, you can call us toll free anytime 24/7 at (855) 781-7747 for a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys. Man texting and driving; image by Alexandre Boucher, via Unsplash.com. What does the law say about hands-free texting? Drivers will soon face fines for using mobile devices to make phone calls and post to social media on Michigan's roads under legislation approved by Gov. LMB supports laws that would make it illegal to hold or use a phone while operating a vehicle, except in an emergency. Or talk to an agent now at (855) 372-0071. Michigan currently prohibits: Reading, writing, or sending text messages while behind the wheel He is the current President of the AAJ Distracted Driving Litigation Group, President of the Belli Society, a Past-President of the AAJ Truck Litigation Group and TBI Group, as well as Past-President of the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. To learn more, please check out this video: Distracted driving occurs when a driver engages in an activity that takes their focus away from driving carefully and safely. Use your phone's Do Not Disturb feature or an app to silence calls and texts. Newlawis good because it will help get peoples hands off their phones and electronic devices and back on the steering wheel where they belong. Request your free consultation today. Distracted driving was a factor in 9% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2019. The driver (and owner of the vehicle if it is registered in a different persons name) can both then be sued in a lawsuit for wrongful death and/orpain and suffering compensationand economic damages. What are the penalties for violating the Michigan texting and driving law? In 2017, those numbers increased sharply: 20,115 distracted driving crashes, with 72 people killed in those crashes and 7,652 people injured. But it is not illegal if the phone or device is used in hands-free or voice operated mode or placed in a mount. (MCL 257.602b(4)(b)), Drivers with 3 or more violations within a 3-year period must complete a basic driver improvement course. (MCL 257.602b(8)), 1 point on a persons driving record for a 2, 2 points on a persons driving record for a 3. Everything went well with my experience with Trusted Choice. The legislation is amending Michigans current law in an effort to reduce distracted-driving crashes and fatalities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, checking a text while driving just 55 mph is "like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed." Here are the penalties for drunk driving: (1) Up to 360 hours of community service. (MCL 257.602b(1) and (2)), Specifically, the law states that a driver shall not read, manually type, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device . Text messaging made the risk of crash or near-crash event 23.2 times as high as non-distracted driving, according to a 2009 study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Find out what your case is really worth. There is absolutely no cost or obligation. Can you send/receive texts at a red light? The law makes holding or manually using a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle a primary offensewhich means an officer can stop and ticket drivers for this violation. Eating while driving: Causes distraction with one or two hands off of the wheel Do not do any personal grooming or adjust your clothing while driving. However, the Michigan Legislature recognized that cell phones are a major distraction on the road and the diverted attention can result in traffic accidents and fatalities. Specifically, the laws make it illegal for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device to engage in any of the following four activities while they are driving: Yes. If a driver violates the Michigan texting and driving laws and causes a car accident resulting in injury or wrongful death, then that the person who was operating the vehicle while texting can be sued for causing a car accident. Otherwise, you might find yourself looking at the wrong end of a citation. They were approved by the Governor on June 7, 2023. Schools or school property, but may carry . (Sources: Governors Highway Safety Association, Distracted Driving, State Laws, June 2023; Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Data Query Tool, 2021 and 2017, Filter Crash: Distracted Driver (2016+), Distracted Driver; Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Data Query Tool, 2021 and 2017, Filter Driver Distraction (2016+), Communication Device (text, type, dial), Hands-Free Device (talk), Hand-Held Device (talk), Electronic Device Other), Maximum stars for this law company and particularly for Mr. Steven Gursten Attorney at Law. (House Bill 4277), A second violation would result in 1 point on the texting drivers license. New distracted driving law takes effect June 30 Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed into law a bill making it illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads. (MCL 257.320a(1)(l)), Blog vs YouTube Over Other Websites: How to Choose, Behind the Story of Ghostbed vs. Purple Mattress Lawsuit, Investigation Reveals Goodyears Dunlop D402 Tires Have Caused Dozens of Motorcycle Accidents, Settlement Agreement Could Help Keep Mentally Ill Out of Washington Jails. Previously, Michigan law only prohibited drivers from using a hand-held cell phone to text while driving. And they take effect on June 30, 2023. Now, imagine how long a drivers eyes WILL NOT be on the road if he or she is: (1) watching a video; (2) engaging on social media; (3) on Zoom; (4) on Facetime; or (5) on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok Live. Resources for Law Enforcement Agencies: How to search for information on a missing person. 32 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while theyre driving. Many drivers are wondering what they can and cant do now on the road. Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 212 Cesar E Chavez Ave SW Suite 105 Under the new law, you can't hold your phone while driving to call, text, record or scroll . The Michigan texting and driving laws do not addressremote texter liability, which is the legal concept that if you text a person whom you know is driving and will likely answer your text even if driving, then you may be held legally liable if the person causes a crash resulting in injury or death. Cell phone usage is associated with 10% of Michigans distracted driving crashes. The Michigan distracted driving laws prohibit drivers from using a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device to: (1) talk on the phone; (2) text; (3) watch or record videos; and (4) post to and engage on social media. Exceptions to Michigans distracted driving laws apply when the driver is using a mobile communication device for the purpose of: Distracted driving comes in many forms, and eating a cheeseburger can be just as distracting as talking on a cell phone. The law includes a hands-free exception. Yes. Any special restriction for young drivers? Yes. Steven Gursten has been selected a Michigan Lawyer of the Year and has been voted consistently among the top 50 attorneys in Michigan (out of over 65,000 lawyers) by Super Lawyers. Operate does not include a motor vehicle that is lawfully parked.. If a traffic crash occurs and the at-fault driver was holding or manually using a mobile device while operating the vehicle, any civil fines will be doubled. In response, the "distracted driving" statute was passed to penalize the use of text messaging while operating a vehicle. Drivers of all ages are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone to text while driving. including a wireless telephone used in cellular telephone service or personal communication service, while operating a motor vehicle that is moving on a highway or street in this state. (MCL 257.602b(1) and (2)). You can use hands-free technology such as Bluetooth or integrated systems within the vehicle as long as you do not manually use the system. I was able to make contact with one of the agents. Hewitt said House Bills 4250, 4251 and 4252 were introduced back in March of this year and he laid out the good and the bad. Steven Gursten has been selected a Michigan Lawyer of the Year and has been voted consistently among the top 50 attorneys in Michigan (out of over 65,000 lawyers) by Super Lawyers. A texting driver who is not a truck driver or a school bus driver will incur no points on his or her drivers license. Dashboard and windshield mounts provide optimal eye-level visibility, no doubt making them ideal for using GPS without having to look away from the road. Highlights and raises awareness about the many types of dangerous driving distractions, i.e., texting, talking on the phone, watching videos, going on social media.