Michigan's texting and driving ban would expand under House-passed bills
The Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a plan which bans distracted driving or using a non-hands-free cell phone while on the roads. Current law bans texting and driving, but this new plan goes further.
What are in the distracted driving bills?
There are three bills in the distracted driving package:
House Bill 4250, introduced by Rep. Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth, would amend state law to prohibit using a cell phone while driving. It passed 68-39.
House Bill 4251, introduced by Rep. Tyrone Carter, D-Detroit, would require someone who commits three violations of the law in a three-year span to take a basic driving instruction course. It passed 66-41.
House Bill 4252, introduced by Rep. Mike Mueller, R-Linden, would require the Michigan State Police to prepare a report on the new law 42 months after it becomes effective. The report would track racial and demographic data on traffic stops for distracted driving, as well as monitor how many crashes, serious injuries and deaths are caused by violations. The bill also sets fine amounts for violating the law. It passed 68-39.
What makes this different from banning texting and driving?
Current Michigan law does ban texting and driving — but not scrolling through TikTok, posting on Instagram or reading news stories while you're behind the wheel. It may seem like common sense, but Michigan's current law only bans texting and driving, specifically. Advocates for the new distracted driving plan say it would help catch state law up to today's technology.
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More: Plan to tamp down on phone use while driving making its way through Michigan House
Are there exceptions in the distracted driving plan?
Yes — lawmakers have provided carveouts for drivers to make calls to emergency services like 911, report a crime taking place, and allows first responders like police officers and paramedics to use devices while they're doing their jobs, as well as public utility workers.
Dash and other vehicle cameras are also allowed under the plan, as long as they're hands-free.
For cars that don't have built-in hands-free programs like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, devices can be used hands-free if they are secured by a mount.
What would be the penalties for distracted driving?
Penalties would start off with a $100 civil fine for first-time offenders and/or 16 hours of community service, followed by $250 fines for each subsequent violation, and/or 24 hours of community service. Fines would be doubled if the penalty occurs during a car crash. Fines are also greater for school bus and commercial vehicle drivers, checking in at $200 for the first offense and $500 for every subsequent offense, and again double if they occur in a car crash.
Initially, HB 4251 would have required the Secretary of State to revoke someone's license for three violations in three years, but an amendment passed Tuesday softened the penalty to avoid that. Anyone who commits three violations in a three-year span would have to take a basic driving instruction course to avoid having their license revoked.
What's next for the plan?
The package now moves to the Michigan Senate for consideration. A similar but separate package of Senate bills received a committee hearing Thursday, so the Senate could choose to vote on those bills and send them to the House for consideration. Either package would have to pass both chambers before it could go to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's desk for signature.
Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan House passes plan to ban using phones while driving
