Currently, the penalties for a distracted driving citation in michigan are. Michigan defines distracted driving as any nondriving activity that takes the drivers eyes away from the road while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. Apr 28, 2017 as a part of a new campaign against distracted driving, michigan state police will begin riding in unmarked cars looking to catch folks breaking the law. Current michigan distracted driving laws arent enough. She met on thursday with a group of advocates on the question. Unlike almost all other moving driving violations, a violation of michigans texting and driving law does not result in any points being added to a driver s record with the secretary of state. Driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and. What does michigan law say about distracted driving and distracted driving laws.
In select cities in ohio, including toledo, and throughout michigan, text messaging while operating a motor vehicle is illegal. These occurrences on the road are disturbingly frequent. Some startling facts from nhtsa national highway traffic safety administration and michigan traffic crash facts. Nov 08, 2018 university of michigan researchers, using michigan state police traffic crash reports, concluded distracted driving crashes tallied twice as high as drunk driving across the state in 2017.
Aaa michigan applauds the michigan house transportation committee for passing three bills that will strengthen the current distracted driving law. In these instances, the applicable safety law establishes the standard of care. If you were injured in michigan distracted driving truck accident, you might feel as though your situation is hopeless. The michigan legislature had new laws proposed that would expand the texting ban. If you or someone you know has been in an accident involving a distracted driver, please call the michigan law firm, pllc at 844. Distracted driving statistics for 5 michigan communities. Thats why, in michigan, the texting ban is a primary offense, meaning law enforcement officers do not need another reason aside from texting to issue a citation. Bonnie and other safety advocates continue to champion for stricter michigan cell phone laws and to spread awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Michigan distracted driving laws southfield accident. In short, michigan distracted driving laws are currently among the weakest in the country and virtually impossible for police to enforce. Feb 17, 2019 momentum is gathering for legislation that would only allow handsfree cell phone calls or texting for michigan drivers. Southfield, michigan, distracted driving attorneys. Michigan laws on distracted driving for novice drivers. At the clark law office, our experienced lawyers have handled 100s of accident claims and know how to get the most value out of your case.
Seek legal help after a michigan distracted driving truck accident. The michigan law firm, pc represents victims of distracted driving accidents across the state of michigan. Driving is a visual task and non driving activities that draw the driver s eyes away from the roadway should always be avoided. Primary enforcement of distracted driving laws means the police can pull you over if they see you violating state distracted driving laws. Through michigan auto law s ongoing partnership with bonnie to raise awareness about distractions facing young drivers, our kelseys law distracted driving scholarship is open to.
Divergence in capabilities, distracted driving, and. Police cracking down on distracted driving monday detroit. Any drivers who caused or were involved in distracted driving accidents will be penalized based on the level of distraction and accident. Distracted drivers can also cause accidents when a motorist participates in these activities while driving. The auto accident lawyers at michigan injury lawyers will stand up for you if youve suffered a personal injury in a car accident caused by the distracted driving of another motorist. A driver who becomes distracted by using a cell phone, and commits a traffic violation could be charged with careless driving, or with the specific violation, such as improper lane use, if they are drifting in and out of their lane. But enforcement of the current laws has been a bit disappointing, as distracted driving car accidents continue to increase across the state. Distracted driving laws in michigan prohibit bus drivers or any other motorists who hold commercial driver s licenses from using handheld electronic devices while operating a vehicle. Michigan distracted driving accidents truck driver using. Michigan law prohibits a driver from reading, manually typing, or sending a text message while driving. University of michigan researchers, using michigan state police traffic crash reports, concluded distracted driving crashes tallied twice as high as drunk driving across the state in 2017. Tom sinas, recently appeared on fox 17 know the law to explain recent updates and hb 4181 regarding distracted driving efforts in michigan. If you or a loved one was involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver, then you will need an experienced michigan personal injury lawyer.
Michigan s distracted driving laws include more than just using your phone in the car. The kelseys law distracted driving awareness scholarship has been created in her honor to inspire change in teens who drive distracted and help prevent car accidents. The clark law office has won millions for clients all over michigan. Michigan distracted driving accident lawyer not paying. However, a successful claim for compensation might help to restore your losses and allow you to move past your injuries. Police crack down on distracted driving monday detroit, mi police will be on the lookout monday for distracted drivers in a special initiative to end the often deadly bad habits. Jonathan matus is ceo of zendrive, a company that uses cell phone data to analyze driver behavior. This is one reason michigans graduated driver licensing system. Distracted driving can take many forms and the driver responsible should be held legally responsibility for their unsafe and negligent actions. These new bills would increase the penalties for drivers who are distracted on the road and putting innocent lives at risk. While the current law on the books in michigan only applies to text messages, not other distracting apps, and only when the motor vehicle is actually moving, hb 4181 hopes to improve ambiguity. Young drivers with either a level 1 or level 2 graduated driver license, are not permitted to use mobile devices while driving. Law enforcement will take the cell phone into evidence and even obtain a search warrant to obtain the phone records.
Southfield, michigan, distracted driving attorneys michigan. If a driver violates the state or local cell phone ban and causes a crash, the tortfeasor negligent driver could be liable for damages as a matter of law. Have you ever been behind a driver who seemed to be less in control of their car than you would hope. Michigan distracted driving accidents truck driver using phone. Distracted driving laws in ohio for handheld devices. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a michigan distracted driving accident, you may have legal recourse against the driver who caused your injuries.
Michigan auto law attorney brandon hewitt talks with wzzm tv in grand rapids about distracted driving law in michigan as 2017 statistics from. A significant caveat to the general rule is that, although it prohibits drivers from texting from a phone in their hand or lap, it. Distracted driver macomb county michigan a distracted driver ticket or traffic accident can be avoided. Distracted driving michigan personal injury law firm. Distracted driving accidents in michigan the clark law. But in 2021, newly enacted cell phone restriction laws will go into effect in arizona. They included family members of people killed as a result of driving while distracted by electronic devices. Jun 07, 2019 michigan lawmakers have proposed new bills to expand the distracted driving law. Governor gretchen whitmer says shed like to sign a law that does more to discourage distracted driving on michigan roads. Texting on a cellphone while driving involves all three forms of distraction. A distracted driving case in one in which the negligent driver was operating an electronic device, eating, drinking, posting on social media such as facebook, twitter, or snapchat, or carrying out an action that drove their attention away from the road, causing them to hit someone. Jan 20, 2016 michigan defines distracted driving as any nondriving activity that takes the driver s eyes away from the road while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.
Once these vehicles are in use for the general public, a notification to engage may not be. Yes covered under all driver ban yes primary primary maryland yes cellphone for only certain drivers. Apr 11, 2019 michigans distracted driving laws include more than just using your phone in the car. Distracted driving is the leading cause of traffic accidents in michigan and elsewhere in the united states. Texting and driving is illegal in michigan as it is a form of distracted driving that drastically increases the risk of a car crash.
Divergence in capabilities, distracted driving, and derelict. The statute, known as kelseys law, makes it illegal for motorists to text and drive but enforcement of the current laws has been a bit disappointing, as distracted driving car accidents continue to increase across the state. The auto accident lawyers at the stroble law firm will stand up for you if youve suffered a personal injury in a car accident caused by. If you were involved in a car crash with a distracted driver, contact thurswell law for a free consultation. According to the law, reading, manually typing, or sending a text message while driving is prohibited. Just as long as it wasnt typing or sending a text with their hand or in their lap. These distractions are further broken down into three main areas. Michigan ranks near the bottom of a new report on distracted drivers in school zones jonathan matus is ceo of zendrive, a company that uses cell phone data to analyze driver behavior. If you or a loved one was injured in a collision with a reckless or careless driver, reaching out to a lawyer who is wellversed in claism arising from distracted driving car accidents in michigan might prove to be beneficial. Michigan distracted driving law also prohibits younger drivers, those holding level 1 and level 2 licenses under the graduated driver licensing, from using a cell phone in any capacity while driving. As a part of a new campaign against distracted driving, michigan state police will begin riding in unmarked cars looking to catch folks breaking the law. To understand this most recent set of distracted driving bills, you must first understand what the current laws say. The new michigan law will expand prohibitions already in effect against texting to.
Our distracted driver accident attorneys have the experience to get you the. However, if the drivers distracted driving results in a car accident, the cost to the victims can be. Are there any exceptions to the distracted driving laws in michigan. Michigan distracted driving crashes doubled drunk driving accidents in 2017. Tougher michigan distracted driving laws proposed personal. Michigan police will ride in unmarked cars to find. Distracted driving laws in michigan prohibit bus drivers or any other motorists who hold commercial drivers licenses from using handheld electronic devices while operating a vehicle.
As of july 1, 2010, michigan law prohibits texting while driving. He says michigan ranks 47th among the 50 states when it comes to distracted driving in school zones. Mar 02, 2020 phillip washburn is a secondyear law student at the university of michigan law school. Legal help after michigan distracted driving car accidents. New ohio distracted driving law now in effect, fines increased. The statute, known as kelseys law, makes it illegal for motorists to text and drive. Jan 16, 2020 bonnie and other safety advocates continue to champion for stricter michigan cell phone laws and to spread awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. It is against the law to text and drive in michigan. Michigans current distracted driving law gives neither jail nor points on a persons record. Distracted driving behavior mimics drunk driving behavior, and the results can be just as deadly.
Michigans distracted driving laws include more than just using your phone in the car. I was having a conversation about these disengagement numbers with a colleague this week, and the topic of driver distraction arose. Under the distracted driving laws ohio prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices for text communication. Michigan distracted driving laws southfield accident attorneys. On the other hand, cell phone use while driving is acceptable for law enforcement officers. A distracted driver or texting while driving presents a significant danger to the public. Michigan has similar restrictions for adults, who may not text and drive.
In her first state of the state address, governor whitmer called for the legislature to make michigan distracted driving a priority. Michigan compared to the rest of the us on texting and driving restrictions. Illinois targets distracted driving with handsfree phone law. Further, she requested a bill with meaningful steps to reduce distracted driving to sign into law. This article discusses the specifics of what the laws prohibit and the costs of a texting or cellphone ticket. Marie, tragically died in a cell phonerelated automobile crash in 2010. Michigan distracted driving accident lawyer thurswell law. The new laws will help michigan s laws catch up with technology that has evolved since 2010, keeping more drivers on their smartphones doing or attempting to do more types of distraction inducing things. For all michigan drivers, its illegal to use a wireless communication device thats located in the drivers hand or lap to read, write, or send a text message.
Jul 20, 2019 the accident caused by a distracted driver. Oct 09, 2017 michigan ranks near the bottom of a new report on distracted drivers in school zones. If you or someone you know has been in an accident involving a distracted driver, please call the michigan law firm, pllc at. Michigan texting while driving ticket czarnecki taylor.
Through michigan auto laws ongoing partnership with bonnie to raise awareness about distractions facing young drivers, our kelseys law distracted driving scholarship is open to. He is a research editor for the journal of law and mobility and an associate editor for the journal of law reform. Secondary enforcement of distracted driving laws means the police can cite you for violating distracted driving laws only if you break another law while doing so. The victims of distracted drivers may consider taking legal action against those deemed responsible, but they will need the services of southfield car accident attorneys to have any chance for a successful lawsuit. Driving is a visual task and nondriving activities that draw the drivers eyes away from the roadway should always be avoided. Momentum is gathering for legislation that would only allow handsfree cell phone calls or texting for michigan drivers. Driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and nearcrashes, according to the national highway. Distracted driving resulted in 20,115 vehicle crashes while drunken driving and alcoholrelated crashes peaked at 10,265.
Have you ever driven behind someone whom you could see was texting on their phone while driving, or worse. Michigan laws on distracted driving prohibit all motorists who hold a level i or level ii graduated license from using a cell phone while driving, unless the phone is using a voiceoperated system that is integrated into the vehicle. Michigan texting while driving ticket czarnecki taylor pllc. If a distracted driver is involved in a car accident, especially an accident causing serious injury or even death, the police will find out of the driver had used the cell phone. Michigans distracted driving laws prohibit text messaging for all drivers and talking on a cellphone for only certain drivers. Michigan distracted driving laws the sam bernstein law firm. Apr 30, 2018 police crack down on distracted driving monday detroit, mi police will be on the lookout monday for distracted drivers in a special initiative to end the often deadly bad habits. Michigan does not have a law specifically prohibiting cell phone use in a vehicle. Distracted driving causes just as much harm and as many fatalities as drunk driving and so, its prevention should be treated just as importantly. Michigan police will ride in unmarked cars to find distracted. The existing michigan distracted driving laws have been on the books since 2010. The victims of distracted drivers may consider taking legal action against those deemed responsible, but they will need the services of southfield car accident attorneys to have any chance for a. Distracted driving claimed 3,477 lives in 2015 alone.
Electronic devices arent the only distractions a driver faces. Every state in the us has a law that prohibits some sort of cell phone usage except montana and arizona. Distracted driving car accidents the michigan law firm, pc. School bus drivers and any driver under 18 years old may not use any type of mobile device while. As a result, the michigan legislature has since initiated this process and introduced several bills.
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