eyes on the road. hands on the wheel

Hands-Free Michigan

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Welcome

Welcome to handsfreemichigan.com, the official webpage of the Hands Free Michigan campaign. The purpose of handsfreemichigan.com, which was created by the Transportation Improvement Association (TIA) on September 24, 2016, is to provide information regarding the hands-free movement TIA and victims are leading in Michigan.

TIA and victims recognize that Michigan’s current texting law, MCL 257.602b, is too specific to texting and is extremely difficult to enforce. Since portable electronic devices now have numerous capabilities (i.e. social media, e-mail, video chat, a variety of apps, etc.) that drivers are engaging in, 26 states in the nation have a hands-free law. Those states clearly recognize a driver must keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel to safely operate a motor vehicle. MCL 257.602b also does not contain a penalty significant enough to deter distracted driving.

WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving. Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

the impact of DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Preliminary numbers for 2020 indicate 51 persons were killed and 5,559 were injured in 14,326 motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver in the state of Michigan. During 2019, 70 persons were killed and 6,842 were injured in 18,096 crashes involving a distracted driver.

how you can help

Please help us eliminate distracted driving in Michigan by contacting your State Senator and State Representative.

THE IMPACT OF DISTRACTED DRIVING

It is becoming far too common for people to be doing something other than driving. Distractions while driving may include: talking on a phone, texting, reading, eating, or watching a video. In 2019, Michigan recorded...

18,096

Distracted driving crashes in which

People were killed and over

6,842

People were injured

Scope of the Problem Michigan Data SB 409 NHTSA Data

Contact Your Elected Officials

Find my representative

distracted driving

What People
Have to Say

"My daughter, Ally, lost her life in 2011 due to a distracted driver," said Laurel Zimmerman. "I commend State Senator Ruth Johnson for introducing a hands-free bill (SB 409). Too many families have lost a loved one due to distracted driving. Ally was passionate about helping others and would want this bill passed."

"As drivers, we all have the ability to save lives and prevent injuries through the choices we make," said Jim Freybler, who lost his son to texting and driving. "A brief distraction can take away a loved one forever. Please remember my son, Jacob, and don't drive distracted."

“One thing I want to emphasize to the public is when operating a motor vehicle, we all have a personal responsibility to not only protect our lives, but also protect the lives of the innocent people around us,” said Jim Santilli, CEO of the Transportation Improvement Association. “One simple distraction, such as a short text message, can change many lives forever, and that’s why when you’re driving down the road, it’s important to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.”