Michigan Becomes the 26th State to Mandate Hands-Free Cellphone Use While Driving

Effective June 30, Michigan drivers caught using a cellphone behind the wheel will face penalties, as Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed distracted driving prevention legislation into law on Wednesday. The move aims to curb fatal crashes and enhance road safety across the state.

Michigan now joins the ranks of 25 other states that have implemented statutes requiring hands-free cellphone use while driving. In 2021, nearly 6% of vehicle crashes in Michigan involved distracted drivers, according to the Michigan State Police.

It’s important to note that the law does not apply to hands-free Bluetooth devices. Out-of-state motorists without hands-free driving laws will be required to comply with the law when traveling in Michigan. An educational campaign has already commenced, featuring road signage and public service announcements to raise awareness.

This new law complements existing legislation aimed at reducing distracted driving. Kelsey’s Law, named after 17-year-old Kelsey Raffaele who tragically died in a crash while making a phone call, restricts cellphone use to emergencies only. Additionally, a 2010 statute prohibits texting while driving. However, Kelsey’s Law only applies to novice drivers, and enforcing the texting ban presents challenges as it can be difficult for police to determine whether a driver is texting or engaging in other phone-related activities.

Steve Kiefer, a retired General Motors Co. executive, has been actively advocating against distracted driving since losing his 18-year-old son Mitchel in a 2016 accident caused by a distracted driver. Kiefer founded the Kiefer Foundation and has successfully helped pass legislation in 15 states to ban cellphone use while driving.

Missouri is expected to enact a hands-free law later this month, while Alabama and Pennsylvania are also in the process of adopting similar legislation. Kiefer’s ongoing efforts will now focus on lobbying for a hands-free law in Florida.

Kiefer emphasizes that legislation alone is just the beginning. Changing driver behavior is crucial to combating distracted driving, and he hopes that one day it will be recognized as behavior as dangerous as or even worse than drunken driving. Kiefer also acknowledged automakers’ efforts to provide hands-free, voice-automated features for drivers to stay connected while on the road, with retailers actively educating owners about their usage. Governor Whitmer highlighted the impact on young drivers, who constitute 5.3% of the driving population but are involved in 8% of fatal crashes.