Michigan Distracted Driving Laws
After years of debate throughout the Michigan Government, on June 7, 2023, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bills 4250, 4251, and 4252 into law, which amend the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code in regard to distracted driving. The bills crack down on the use of hand-held devices while driving motor vehicles, and aim to keep people safer on Michigan roadways, whether they’re in another vehicle, bicyclist, or a pedestrian.
“Everyone recognizes that distracted driving is a major problem on our roads,” said Sinas Dramis Law Firm Partner Bryan Waldman. “The League of Michigan Bicyclists and other organizations have been advocating for this commonsense change to our traffic laws for almost as long as I can remember. However, politics seemed to always get in the way. I can recall speaking with more than one member of the Michigan Legislature who told me that they were in favor of a law to prevent distracted driving but because it was introduced by a person from the other political party, they would vote against it! Finally, we got it done. This is a great victory for people who care about public safety. It is good for pedestrians, people who ride bicycles, people who ride motorcycles, and anyone who drives or is a passenger in a car.”
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the “hands-free” bills, and provide everything you need to know about Michigan Distracted Driving Laws.
Michigan Distracted Driving Laws: Hands-Free
Once the bills take effect on June 30, 2023, Michigan will become the 26th state in the U.S. to be known as “hands-free” according to the Detroit Free Press. This means apart from the exceptions for making calls to emergency services, any phone use behind the wheel is illegal. The law specifically states phones use as:
- Send or receive a telephone call.
- Send, receive, or read a text message.
- View, record, or transmit a video.
- Access, read, or post to a social networking site.
- Reaching for a mobile electronic device in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt that is installed as required.
Those who violate Michigan Distracted Driving Laws Face:
- For a first violation, pay a $100.00 civil fine or perform 16 hours of community service, or both.
- For a second or subsequent violation, pay a $250.00 civil fine or perform 24 hours of community service, or both.
- If an individual is involved in an accident for which the individual is at fault when the individual violates this section, any civil fine ordered must be double the amount that would otherwise be ordered.
- If an individual is responsible for 3 or more violations within a 3-year period, a court shall order the individual to complete a basic driver improvement course within a reasonable time as determined by the court
For those violating this law while operating a school bus or commercial vehicle, they face:
- For a first violation, pay a $200.00 civil fine or perform 32 hours of community service, or both.
- For a second or subsequent violation, pay a $500.00 civil fine or perform 48 hours of community service, or both.
- If an individual is involved in an accident for which the individual is at fault when the individual violates this section, any civil fine ordered must be double the amount that would otherwise be ordered.
- If an individual is responsible for 3 or more violations within a 3-year period, a court shall order the individual to complete a basic driver improvement course within a reasonable time as determined by the court
Michigan Distracted Driving Laws and Sinas Dramis Law Firm
As a personal injury law firm serving all of Michigan, Sinas Dramis law firm has represented many clients injured in crashes caused by distracted driving. Our Grand Rapids car accident lawyers, Lansing auto accident attorneys, in addition to our Ann Arbor personal injury attorneys, Kalamazoo personal injury lawyers, or team in St. Clair Shores, hope these Michigan distracted driving laws will help keep people safe. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, you can contact our dedicated team for a free personal injury consultation.