Michigan's Hands-Free Law Takes Effect Friday

Like it or not, Michigan is about to go hands-Free. Beginning Friday (6/30) Drivers will not be permitted to use their phones manually while behind the wheel. a a a a

Are you ready to comply?

Beginning Friday, drivers will not be able to use their phones to text, email, make or answer calls, program the GPS, change songs - anything that requires physically holding the phone. The use of a phone mount or a vehicle's built-in electronic interface system like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay does make it legal to achieve basic communication functions.

Granted, this is completely anecdotal and non-scientific, but everyone I know and everyone I talk to is adamantly opposed to texting and driving, and any activity that could be considered 'distracted driving.' Yet practically every day, I see someone using their cell phone while driving. a a a a a a

Beginning Friday, it's Ticketable Offense.

New legislation which bans the use of hand-held cell phones (and other electronic devices passed the Michigan House and Senate in May of this year. That legislation was signed into law by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

It's About Damn Time

In 2021, 21 people were killed on Michigan roadways as a result of cell phone use while driving. Additionally, 2,765 car accidents were attributed to distracted driving due to cell phone use.

There are already 12 states that have similar laws and fatalities in those states have decreased by 16 percent.