The Journey Through Legislation to Reduce Distracted Driving in Michigan

Since the widespread adoption of smartphones, vehicular-related accidents caused by drivers distracted while using their cell phones have rapidly increased in Michigan, especially among teen drivers. These accidents often result in severe injuries or deaths. Therefore, the need for a statewide ban on using handheld cellular devices while driving has long been a priority for those who care about keeping Michigan roads safe, including MichAuto.

Throughout this years-long effort to pass this vital legislation, MichAuto and the Detroit Regional Chamber worked with a wide variety of passionate citizens, safe streets advocates, and many within the state legislature to rally a broad, diverse, and bipartisan coalition to pass distracted driving legislation in Michigan. MichAuto routinely recruited its investor companies to participate by contacting legislators and executive branch members to support the passage.

Along with MichAuto Executive Director Glenn Stevens Jr., the Chamber’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandy K. Baruah, and Vice President of Government Relations, Brad Williams, were Chamber advocates in the spotlight in various editorials, TV and radio programs, and social media. Further, MichAuto and the Chamber’s Government Relations team were in constant contact with key legislators to either press supporters to speed the passage process or work with undecided legislators to educate and persuade them to become supportive.

With this help, MichAuto successfully shepherded distracted driving legislation through the legislature, and it was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in June 2023. Ultimately, the passage of distracted driving legislation was due to a coalition of stakeholders. MichAuto played an essential role as one of these stakeholders and a convener of other key organizations and individuals who formed a powerful coalition. This organizational orientation, adjacent to industry and positioned in the political middle, was pivotal in helping construct such a coalition.

Key dates in the distracted driving-ban campaign:

During her State of the State address, Gretchen Whitmer calls for swift passage of distracted driving legislation. MichAuto and Chamber amplify this call to action across all its social and digital media platforms.

During the Mackinac Policy Conference, Steve Kiefer of the Kiefer Foundation takes the Mackinac Policy Stage to relate the tragic death of his son due to a distracted driver and calls for the ban on distracted driving ban in Michigan.

Passing meaningful distracted-driving-related legislation also appears as a top priority on the 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference To-Do List.

Poll findings from the Chamber’s second Michigan Voters Poll showed Michigan voters strongly support a distracted driving ban. By a margin of 88.3%-9%, Michigan voters strongly support legislation prohibiting drivers from holding their cell phones while driving and requiring them to only use a hands-free device.

During MichAuto on the Island, Kiefer gave a keynote presentation to educate automotive and mobility leaders on the importance of distracted-free driving and led a call to action to press legislators for a floor vote on House Bills 4277, 4278, and 4279.

Glenn Stevens Jr. pens an op-ed in Crain’s Detroit Business to urge the Michigan Legislature to support and pass House Bills 4277, 4278, and 4279, which were introduced to the House earlier in the year.

MichAuto hosts Town Hall: The Push to End Distracted Driving in Michigan, a webinar that educated business leaders and the community on the importance of hands-free driving legislation in Michigan. Stevens moderated the conversation.

The State House passes House Bills 4277, 4278, and 4279; MichAuto provides an update, applauding the progress.

House Bills 4277, 4278, and 4279 are reported to the Senate Judiciary.

The Distracted Driving bills are repackaged as House Bills 4250, 4251, and 4252, which include a clearer process for reporting violations and an adjustment to violators’ fines and fees.

MichAuto also attended the House Transportation, Mobility, and Infrastructure Committee’s April 2023 meeting to support the legislation.

Advocating for legislation on a distracted driving ban was one of the top goals of MichAuto’s 2023 Automotive Day at the Capitol. At this annual convening, MichAuto investors meet with state legislators to promote issues important to Michigan’s automotive and mobility industry.

Paul Corbett, MichAuto’s Director of Government and Community Affairs, testifies in front of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee in favor of distracted driving legislation. Corbett highlights the disproportionate impact borne by the most vulnerable in society by distracted driving and the ways the proposed legislation will help save lives.

The State Senate and House overwhelmingly pass House Bills 4250, 4251, and 4252, including violation fees and report changes.

Stevens and MichAuto issue a statement following the bill package’s passing.

Whitmer, surrounded by Kiefer, Michigan Department of Transportation Director Brad Wieferich, Bill Sponsor Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), and MichAuto Board Chair Lisa Lunsford, signs House Bills 4250, 4251, and 4252 into law.

One year after the legislation was signed into law, data from the Michigan State Police revealed 305 fewer distracted-driving-related crashes in Michigan in 2023 compared to the prior year, a roughly 2% reduction. Further, police across the state had issued a combined 19,463 citations for violations of the new law through July 15, 2024. Of those, 14,364 — or just under 74% of all citations — had so far resulted in a conviction, according to the Michigan State Court Administrative Office.