The Transportation Improvement Association (TIA) is calling for distracted driving to be made a top priority in Michigan and the “hands free” bill made law to prevent deaths and injuries on the road.
The TIA says that since the first hands-free bill was made in September 2016, preliminary numbers indicate that 228 people were killed and 24,190 were injured in 63,709 crashes that were reported to involve a distraction.
“Many of these deaths and injuries likely would have been prevented if the Michigan Legislature enacted a hands-free law,” said Jim Santilli, CEO of the TIA.
The Association wants action to be taken on Senate Bill 288. If passed, SB288 would make Michigan a hands-free state. There are currently more than 20 hands-free states in the nation.
According to the US Department of Transportation, drivers who use a hand-held device are four times more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury. Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.
If SB288 becomes a law, a driver may use a portable electronic device in hands-free mode as long as the driver can activate or deactivate a function on the device with a single swipe or tap of their finger.
The portable electronic device must also be safely mounted on the windshield, dashboard, or center console in a manner that does not hinder the driver’s view of the road. A driver may also use a hands-free system, such as OnStar, Sync, or U-Connect.
More information, including crash data, is available on the Hands-Free Michigan campaign website. Visit: www.handsfreemichigan.com
