DEARBORN, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – AAA is applauding House lawmakers in Michigan for passing three bills that would modernize distracted driving laws.
Officials say the package of bills (HBs 4277, 4278 and 4279), which now head to the Michigan Senate, would address a variety of issues, including banning the use of handheld devices to include social media, video streaming and other cell phone technologies.
“AAA – The Auto Club Group is so grateful that House lawmakers set the wheels in motion for the passage of the distracted driving bills,” Director of Government Relations for AAA Tiffany Hauser said in a statement. “Distracted driving remains a growing traffic safety problem here in Michigan. Our research shows that education and legislation are key factors in changing driving behavior.”
According to 2019 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- Distracted driving crashes killed 3,142 people in the United States – an average of 9 deaths per day.
- That number was up 10 percent from the year before (2,839 deaths in 2018).
- In Michigan alone, there were 64 fatal crashes involving a distracted driver, resulting in 71 fatalities in 2019.
- Click here to view more information from AAA’s report.
Michigan’s current distracted driving law only addresses texting while driving.
It does not prohibit the other ways individuals interact with their cellphones such as with mobile apps, social media or even video streaming.
Officials say this lack of clarity and reference to out-of-date cellphone technology prompted lawmakers to introduce this package of bills that would strengthen Michigan’s existing distracted driving law in an effort to create safer roads.
“Legislation like this will help prevent drivers from becoming another statistic,” AAA Spokesperson Adrienne Woodland said. “Today, with the advancements of in-vehicle technology and the use of cellphones in our daily lives, drivers have the potential to be more distracted than ever before. Distracted driving legislation needs to be in line with current trends and these bills are a step in the right direction.”
AAA offers these tips to avoid distracted driving:
- Put it away. Place your mobile device out of sight to prevent temptation.
- Know where you’re going. If using a navigation system, program the destination before driving.
- Pull over. If you must call or text while on the road, pull off the road safely and stop first.
- Ask passengers for help. If riding with someone, seek their help to navigate, make a call or send a message.
- Be a good passenger. Speak out if the driver of your vehicle is distracted.
- Don’t be a distraction. Avoid calling or texting others when you know they are driving.
- Activate Do Not Disturb. Setting up this feature on iPhone or Android device will prevent calls from coming in while you’re driving.
- Everyone should avoid distractions while in traffic. Just as drivers need to pay attention, so do pedestrians and bicyclists. Never call, text or play games while walking or cycling.
