distracted driving michigan mcl

But it is not illegal if the phone or device is used in hands-free or voice operated mode or placed in a mount. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, checking a text while driving just 55 mph is "like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed." Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Theres a proposed new Distracted Driving Law in Michigan, a package of bills that has passed the house and senate, and is working its way to governor Whitmer for a signature. . In 2017, those numbers increased sharply: 20,115 distracted driving crashes, with 72 people killed in those crashes and 7,652 people injured. The Michigan texting and driving laws do not addressremote texter liability, which is the legal concept that if you text a person whom you know is driving and will likely answer your text even if driving, then you may be held legally liable if the person causes a crash resulting in injury or death. So, what happens if a police officer in Michigan sees you eating a cheeseburger while driving down the highway? Do not daydream when you are behind the wheel. According to data gathered by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), there were 12,788 distracted driving crashes in Michigan in 2016. Ask a passenger to help navigate, change the music, or monitor your texts. The Michigan distracted driving legal guidelines prohibit drivers from utilizing a hand-held cellphone or cell digital system to: (1) speak on the telephone; (2) textual content; (3) watch or file movies; and (4) submit to and interact on social media. Michigan's New Distracted Driving Law Proposal Satisfaction guarantee if we dont win, you dont pay. The goal of Michigans texting law is to help make our roads safer for everyone. Reach out to Michigan Auto Law for a free consultation and sound legal advice. It is caused by the trauma. They were approved by the Governor on June 7, 2023. Viewing, recording, or transmitting a video. Text messaging made the risk of crash or near-crash event 23.2 times as high as non-distracted driving, according to a 2009 study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. 410 S. Cedar St. Suite ALansing, MI 48912, Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL): Bicycles and the Law. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. When someone happens to die in a car accident in Michigan, his or her dependents will receive financial support through, Michigan traffic fatalities have increased 15% over the past 5 years, even though total car accidents dropped 6% over the, Miscarriage after a car accident results in the loss of a pregnant womans pregnancy. "That isn't just a statistic, but it represents real lives lost . Meet the team! There are 48 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands that ban all drivers from texting while driving. Steven Gursten is the current President of the American Association for Justice Distracted Driving Litigation Group and lectures and teaches auto accident attorneys throughout the nation on this topic and how to obtain evidence of this behavior in their own car accident cases. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 44444 Mound Road, Suite 100 I also speak regularly to lawyers at legal seminars and to high school students and parents throughout Michigan about the dangers of distracted driving. (MCL 257.602c(4)) There are no fines (MCL 257.907(2)) no points on a persons driving record (MCL 257.320a(2)) no drivers license suspension (MCL 257.319) no jail time, and no community service. Disclaimer: This information is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice without consulting with a licensed attorney. Michigan Traffic Fatalities 2023: Statistics, Laws & Prevention, Miscarriage After Car Accident: What You Need To Know. No matter where you live in Michigan, our lawyers are accessible. The penalties for violation of Michigans distracted driving laws may include: (1) a fine of $100 to $250; (2) 16 to 24 hours of community service; (3) repeat offenders get points on the driving records of repeat offenders; and (4) driving school for 3 or more distracted-driving violations in a 3-year period. Worst case scenario is this loophole will provide distracted drivers with a legal defense if the police try to ticket them for watching videos or going on social media while theyre driving. Michigan's Distracted Driving Laws: Your Guide | Trusted Choice New distracted driving law takes effect June 30 Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed into law a bill making it illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads. Below I will discuss Michigans texting and driving laws in more detail. Sterling Heights, MI 48314, 122 S. Main Street, Suite 220 The New Distracted Driving Law in Michigan Some of the information on this site may be deemed attorney advertising in some states. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent distraction and keep yourself and other drivers safe: For those who require a little direction but lack built-in GPS, here are some handy solutions to help you drive hands-free. (MCL 257.602c(1)) This is known as Kelseys Law. IT'S THE LAW. Steve was named a JD Supra 2018 and 2019 Readers' Choice Award winner - Top Author in the Insurance category. Posted at 10:28 AM, Jun 29, 2023 . (MCL 257.602b(4)(a)), A $250 fine for a 2nd or subsequent violation and/or 24 hours of community service. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But even legal distractions (like eating or adjusting the radio) can significantly increase your risk of being in an accident or driving erratically, so it's better to avoid as many distractions as possible. This blog provides an overview of the law, which was approved by - MSN The penalties will depend on whether the crash resulted in death, injury or property damage. According to the law, the word operate means to drive or assume physical control of a motor vehicle on a public way, street, road, or highway, including operation while temporarily stationary because of traffic, road conditions, a traffic light, or a stop sign. Beginning June 30, it will be prohibited in Michigan to use a cellphone while driving, unless it's being used via a hands-free program or. In Michigan, the fine for distracted driving in the form of texting while driving or for using a cell phone while driving (if you are a teen driver, truck driver or school bus driver) is $100 for the first violation and $200 for subsequent violations. Im very satisfied. (MCL 257.602b(9)). The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that dialing a handheld mobile phone while driving made the driver 12 times more likely to crash.. Here are more details about the penalties under the Michigan distracted driving laws: Unfortunately, these penalties are still too lenient considering the dangers that distracted driving subjects all drivers to. What Happens When Someone Dies In A Car Accident? Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo. If pro athletes optimize their performance with chiropractic care, why wouldnt you? Michigan's new distracted driving law goes into effect today - FOX 17 Examples include: (1) texting; (2) using the phone; (3) talking on the phone; (4) talking to passengers in your vehicle; (5) surfing the internet; (6) using social media; (7) watching videos; (8) looking at images; (9) using FaceTime or Zoom; (10) using GPS or devices like Waze; and (11) eating or drinking. Section 257.642: Legislature Bills . We offer these FAQs to help you and your family stay safe. The Michigan distracted driving laws prohibit drivers from using a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device to: (1) talk on the phone; (2) text; (3) watch or record videos; and (4) post to and engage on social media. 32 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while theyre driving. The law is Here are the penalties for drunk driving: (1) Up to 360 hours of community service. In Michigan, the fine for distracted driving in the form of texting while driving or for using a cell phone while driving (if you are a teen driver, truck driver or school bus driver) is $100 for the first violation and $200 for subsequent violations. Many states ban the use of handheld devices while driving, and some don't. Michigan Traffic Fatalities 2023: Statistics, Laws & Prevention, Miscarriage After Car Accident: What You Need To Know. $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. (NHTSA, Distracted Driving,. Friday marks a major change in Michigan's distracted driving law, expanding from just banning texting on your phone to banning holding the phone itself. Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 212 Cesar E Chavez Ave SW Suite 105 Drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash, according to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. (MCL 257.320a(2)) There is no drivers license suspension (MCL 257.319) no jail time, and no community service. (House Bill 4278), A third or subsequent violation result in 2 points on the texting drivers license. This legislation has the full backing of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and is expected to become a full-on law in the near future. Steven Gursten is President and Attorney at Michigan Auto Law. Michigan Legislature - Section 257.626b Michigans distracted driving laws make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device to text, talk on the phone, watch videos or go on social media while youre driving. "This legislation is designed at saving lives, and thats incredibly important, said bill sponsor Rep. Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth, during an April committee hearing on the legislation. (MCL 257.602b(6); 257.320a(2)). Many drivers are wondering what they can and cant do now on the road. There are many behaviors that cause a drivers attention to be diverted from driving: (1) texting; (2) using a cell phone; (3) talking on the phone; (4) talking with passengers; (5) looking at videos or photos or anything else on the phone while the car is moving; (6) adjusting the radio; (7) reaching for something on the floor or backseat; and/or (8) it can even include daydreaming or being lost in thought. Distracted Driving Dangers and Statistics | NHTSA (MCL 257.602b(6)) The maximum penalty for texting while driving is limited to a $100 fine for a first violation and $200 fine for a second or subsequent violation. Texting drivers are 23x more likely to cause a car accident than non-texting drivers. Steven Gursten has been selected a Michigan Lawyer of the Year and has been voted consistently among the top 50 attorneys in Michigan (out of over 65,000 lawyers) by Super Lawyers. Highlights and raises awareness about the many types of dangerous driving distractions, i.e., texting, talking on the phone, watching videos, going on social media. HANDS-FREE LAW GUIDE My phone is mounted on my dashboard, so Im hands-free. If you have suffered a personal injury in a car accident caused by someone who violated the Michigan distracted driving laws and you would like to speak with an experienced attorney, you can call us toll free anytime 24/7 at (855) 781-7747 for a free consultation with one of our car accident attorneys. I recommended him to all my friends and neighbors.. It is caused by the trauma.

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