April 04, 2022
Distracted driving enforcement to take place in several Michigan communities April 7
In support of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, law enforcement agencies in several Michigan communities will be participating in a 4-hour distracted driving enforcement and awareness initiative. “Connect to Disconnect” (C2D) will take place on April 7, 2022, as part of the national “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” media campaign, which reminds drivers about the dangers and consequences of distracted driving and runs from April 7-11.
The goals of C2D are to demonstrate a nationwide commitment to enforcing texting and distracted driving laws and to reduce traffic crashes caused by distracted drivers, ultimately preventing injuries and deaths associated with cell phone use and texting while driving.
Participating law enforcement agencies include…
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Allegan County Sheriff’s Office Birmingham Police Department Brighton Police Department Brownstown Police Dearborn Police Department Grand Blanc Township Police Department Hazel Park Police Department Ingham County Sheriff's Office Kent County Sheriff’s Office Livonia Police Department |
Macomb County Sheriff’s Office Monroe County Sheriff’s Office City of Mount Pleasant MSP 7th District Hometown MSP Gaylord Post MSP Grand Rapids Post MSP Lakeview Post MSP Mount Pleasant Post MSP Paw Paw Post |
Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office Portage Department of Public Safety Southfield Police Department St. Clair Shores Police Stanton Police Department Thomas Township Police Department Wyoming Department of Public Safety |
According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, michigantrafficcrashfacts.org, there were 14,236 motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver during 2020 in Michigan, and 48 of those crashes resulted in a fatality. The most common crash type for distracted driving crashes in 2020 was rear end, which accounted for 44.7 percent of distracted driving crashes.
“We’re hoping this enforcement period will help reduce the ever-increasing number of crashes involving distracted drivers,” said Alicia Sledge, interim director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). “At the same time, we will send a reminder that texting while driving in Michigan is illegal, dangerous and deadly.”
Michigan law prohibits reading, manually typing or sending a text message while driving. Exceptions include reporting crashes, crimes or other emergencies. The fine for a first offense is $100. The fine doubles to $200 for subsequent offenses.
Both C2D and “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” are programs of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information about distracted driving, visit Michigan.gov/DistractedDriving or distraction.gov.
