LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan drivers will begin facing heightened penalties for using their cell phones while driving after Governor Whitmer signed legislation earlier this month. 

“Too many Michiganders have lost loved ones to distracted driving, and everyone should be safe on their way to school, home, or work,” said Governor Whitmer. “We developed our last Strategic Highway Safety Plan in 2019 and already we have seen a reduction in the number of fatalities caused by distracted driving. These bills are another step toward reducing that number even further. Our goal is to see zero traffic deaths by 2050 and I know that by working together we can get it done.”

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While there are exceptions for hands free Bluetooth devices, any of the following could result in more tickets including: sending texts, watching or recording videos, or engaging with social media.

Michigan drivers will have to pay a fine if they are found to be violating the distracted driving law. The first time offense is a 100 civil fine and/or 16 hours of community service. Each subsequent violation will cost the driver a $250 find or 24 hours of community service.

Commercial drivers and school bus drivers found using a cell phone would face an initial $200 fine or 32 hours of community service, or both; a second or subsequent violation would result in $500 fine or 48 hours of community service, or both. 

Other Midwest states have adopted similar legislation and seen positive results. 

According to the governor’s office, Ohio reported a nine percent drop in distracted driving in a month, preventing more than 500 crashes, after the state introduced a hands-free law in April.

Leading up to the bill passage, Michigan experienced a general rising trend in distracted driving crashes. 

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According to Katie Bower,  Director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, the number of traffic deaths on Michigan roads jumped 15% from 974 deaths in 2018 to 1,123 deaths in 2022. 

While the five-year trend indicated a larger increase, traffic deaths slightly decreased by 1% in 2022, and serious injuries were also down 3%.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) said it will begin erecting road signs that read: “Michigan Law Hands-Free Device Use Only.” The signs, will be present at state line and border crossings to remind drivers of the new law.