GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — April kicks off an annual campaign to raise awareness about the perils of distracted driving, which claims thousands of lives each year on America’s roads and highways.
“Distracted driving constitutes a serious threat to public safety on Michigan roads,’’ according to Michigan House Resolution No. 69, which was recently adopted in Lansing.
“Although drivers acknowledge the dangers of distracted driving, many still engage in dangerous practices on the road,’’ the resolution states.
Texting while driving continues to be an issue in Michigan and elsewhere. Michigan law has prohibited texting and driving since 2010, but it remains a concern, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said.
“Unfortunately, right now there’s still a lot of people who think they can use their cellphones while driving,’’ he said. “It doesn’t even have to be texting; just looking at their phones for directions, or whatever it may be.’’
Legislation introduced in February would prohibit cellphone use by drivers in Michigan; offenders face a fine and community service. Sanctions get tougher for repeat offenders, including points on their driving record.
There are exemptions, including for law enforcement officers and calls to report criminal activity, drunk drivers, traffic accidents, road hazards, fires and other emergencies.
Other states have laws in place prohibiting handheld cellphone use while driving.
A new law took effect last summer in Indiana that bans drivers from using handheld cellphones. Indiana is one of more than 20 states that prohibit drivers from holding or using a handheld mobile device while driving.
Distracted driving isn’t restricted to mobile devices.
“All it takes is looking at a radio, looking at the kids behind you,’’ Becker said. “It’s very easy to get distracted and you run a red light, run a stop sign and don’t see the car stopping in front of you. And extremely bad things can happen.’’
Distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,142 Americans in 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s an increase of nearly 10 percent from the previous year.
House Resolution 69 makes specific mention of the 2016 death of Mitchel Kiefer, who was killed when a distracted driver rear-ended his car on Int. 96 in Ingham County.
It led to creation of The Kiefer Foundation, which is dedicated to ending distracted driving and all associated traffic deaths and injuries. According to the foundation’s website, 10 people die every day in the United States from driving distracted.
The resolution designating April as distracted driving awareness month in Michigan says raising public awareness of the dangers of distracted driving "will encourage Michiganders from all walks of life to put down their telephones while driving.’’
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