5/12/23 - Changes Are Instore For Michigan Drivers

The Governor is expected to sign a series of bill that will impact distracted drivers.

LANSING —The state House sent three bills to the Governor for her signature and if passed it will mean increased penalties for distracted drivers.

Currently those driving in Michigan can't text and drive but the new laws would expand that ban to cover general use of a cell phone or looking at a screen while behind the wheel.

Passenger vehicle drivers could be fined $100 for a first offense, $250 for subsequent violations and be required to complete a driver improvement course if they are cited three or more times within a three-year period. 

Drivers of commercial vehicles, including school buses, could be fined $200 to $500. Maximum fines would be doubled for violations that cause an accident. 

The Senate amended the legislation on Wednesday to specify the newly proposed law would take effect on June 30. 

The bills would make Michigan the 26th state to enact a hand-held cell phone ban for drivers. Ohio implemented a similar ban last month.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that distracted driving caused 3,522 traffic deaths in the United States in 2021.