{"id":3106,"date":"2023-08-02T11:15:47","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T15:15:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/?p=3106"},"modified":"2023-08-29T14:41:23","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T18:41:23","slug":"michigans-expanded-distracted-driving-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/news\/michigans-expanded-distracted-driving-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan&#8217;s Expanded Distracted Driving Law"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;1&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;310964&#8243;][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_single_image media=&#8221;3107&#8243; media_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;578328&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;642525&#8243;]Hands-free driving laws are nothing new. But Michigan\u2019s newly expanded distracted driving law completely bans any hand-held phone or other mobile electronic device usage while driving. Recently approved by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the new bill became law on June 30, 2023 \u2014 and for good reason. Fatal distracted driving crashes when the driver was using a cell phone increased by 88% between 2016 and 2020 \u2014 according to statistics from the Governor\u2019s\u00a0office.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row=&#8221;&#8221; row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; back_color=&#8221;gray&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;182916&#8243; back_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1684868875963{margin-top: 25px !important;margin-bottom: 25px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; position_vertical=&#8221;middle&#8221; align_horizontal=&#8221;align_center&#8221; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; style=&#8221;dark&#8221; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;876117&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text_size=&#8221;h3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;153639&#8243;]Did You Know?[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=&#8221;yes&#8221; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;155666&#8243;]A new distracted driving law took effect on June 30, 2023, making it illegal to use a cell phone in any manner on Michigan roads. All cell phone usage is now unlawful, including making or answering calls, watching or recording videos, accessing or posting on social media, and all multi-touch engagements.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; override_padding=&#8221;yes&#8221; h_padding=&#8221;2&#8243; top_padding=&#8221;1&#8243; bottom_padding=&#8221;1&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;100247&#8243;][vc_column column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;2&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;971470&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;133813&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>What is distracted driving?<\/h2>\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.michigan.gov\/msp\/divisions\/ohsp\/distracted-driving\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michigan State Police<\/a>, distracted driving occurs when drivers are engaged in behaviors that draw the driver\u2019s eyes away from the roadway. These include:[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;154360&#8243;][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;248906&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;145220&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Texting<\/li>\n<li>Watching videos<\/li>\n<li>Browsing the internet<\/li>\n<li>Accessing social media<\/li>\n<li>Reaching for an item<\/li>\n<li>Looking after children or pets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;0&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;0&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;167699&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;118843&#8243;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Adjusting controls<\/li>\n<li>Listening to loud music<\/li>\n<li>Making a phone or video call<\/li>\n<li>Answering a phone or video call<\/li>\n<li>Eating, drinking, or smoking<\/li>\n<li>Using a navigation tool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;855689&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>What do I need to know about the new law?<\/h2>\n<p>While the previous law enacted in 2010 only banned texting while driving, the new bill prohibits additional engagements with cell phones and other mobile electronic devices, such as GPS systems.<\/p>\n<p>These prohibited behaviors include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Holding a phone or mobile device<\/li>\n<li>Supporting a phone or mobile device with any part of their hands, arms, or shoulders<\/li>\n<li>Operating a phone or mobile device beyond a singular touch \u2014 even if it\u2019s mounted on the dashboard or connected to a vehicle\u2019s built-in system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What are the penalties?<\/h2>\n<p>The new distracted driving law in Michigan is considered a primary offense. This means that offending drivers can be pulled over by police officers who can then impose serious penalties.<\/p>\n<p>Learn the penalties you can face if you violate the new law below:[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner row_inner_height_percent=&#8221;0&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;774961&#8243; shape_dividers=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; preserve_border=&#8221;yes&#8221; preserve_border_tablet=&#8221;yes&#8221; preserve_border_mobile=&#8221;yes&#8221; border_color=&#8221;gray&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;7&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;7&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;489125&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1690989957830{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221; border_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;499892&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h5>First Violation*<\/h5>\n<p>Fined $100 and\/or 16 hours of community service[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; preserve_border=&#8221;yes&#8221; preserve_border_tablet=&#8221;yes&#8221; preserve_border_mobile=&#8221;yes&#8221; border_color=&#8221;gray&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;7&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;7&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;506363&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1690989972752{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221; border_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;105096&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h5>Second Violation*<\/h5>\n<p>Fined $250 and\/or 24 hours of community service[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=&#8221;100&#8243; gutter_size=&#8221;3&#8243; overlay_alpha=&#8221;50&#8243; preserve_border=&#8221;yes&#8221; preserve_border_tablet=&#8221;yes&#8221; preserve_border_mobile=&#8221;yes&#8221; border_color=&#8221;gray&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; shift_x=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y=&#8221;0&#8243; shift_y_down=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index=&#8221;0&#8243; medium_width=&#8221;7&#8243; mobile_width=&#8221;7&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;135203&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1690989966866{border-top-width: 1px !important;border-right-width: 1px !important;border-bottom-width: 1px !important;border-left-width: 1px !important;padding-top: 15px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}&#8221; border_color_type=&#8221;uncode-palette&#8221;][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;951054&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h5>Third Violation**<\/h5>\n<p>Mandated driving-improvement course[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;365694&#8243;]* All fines will be doubled if the driver\u2019s illegal behavior leads to a crash.<br \/>\n** Within three years.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=&#8221;167733&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2>Are there any significant exemptions?<\/h2>\n<p>While the law staunchly prohibits several behaviors while driving, there are also exemptions to note. Penalties will not be imposed against public safety workers who violate the rules while on duty, including police officers, firefighters, and EMTs.<\/p>\n<p>There is also an exception if a driver needs to call or text 911 to report an emergency or seek help. Additionally, certain medical devices that require manual usage while driving \u2014 such as an insulin pump \u2014 are allowed to be used while driving by law.<\/p>\n<h2>Tips for Preventing Distracted Driving<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Silence calls and texts by using your phone\u2019s \u201cDo Not Disturb\u201d feature<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t touch your phone while driving except for emergency needs \u2014 even at red lights or other stops<\/li>\n<li>Keep music at a reasonable level and avoid using earbuds or headphones<\/li>\n<li>Pull your vehicle over to attend to children or pets<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t drink, eat, smoke, or engage in other distracting behavior<\/li>\n<li>Ask passengers to help navigate, intercept calls and texts, and adjust controls<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Making Michigan Roads Safer<\/h2>\n<p>As a dedicated group of trusted insurance advisors, we understand the importance of minimizing potential threats on the road. At Doeren Mayhew Insurance Group, we stand behind Michigan\u2019s expanded distracted driving law because we believe it can \u2014 and will \u2014 save lives.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/contact\/\">Contact us<\/a> to learn more about the new law or how our <a href=\"\/insurance-services\/personal-insurance\/auto-insurance\/\">auto insurance solutions<\/a> can protect your family\u2019s health and financial well\u2011being.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hands-free driving laws are nothing new. But Michigan\u2019s newly expanded distracted driving law completely bans any hand-held phone or other mobile electronic device usage while driving.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3107,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,29],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3106"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3106"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3106\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3133,"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3106\/revisions\/3133"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3106"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3106"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/doereninsurance.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3106"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}