Detroit Today: Proposed Michigan law could outlaw holding a phone while driving

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has the opportunity to sign these distracted driver bills, according to a capitol reporter.

person holding an iPhone behind the steering wheel of a car

There were over 280,000 car crashes in Michigan in 2021, which is a 15 percent increase from the previous year, according to the state’s auto statistics.

To change that, the Michigan legislature is working to pass a distracted driving law. As its written, the distracted driving bill states that repeated hands-on phone while driving can lead to having one’s license suspended.

Capitol reporter Colin Jackson joined Detroit Today to discuss what this law could entail, and why some residents are skeptical of its impact.

“This would apply to texts, this would apply to making video calls, this would apply to just making a phone call and holding your phone if you don’t have a Bluetooth speaker in your phone.” — Colin Jackson, reporter


Listen: Proposed Michigan law could outlaw holding a phone while driving


Guest

Colin Jackson is a capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He says the new bills would outlaw holding a cell phone in your hand while driving.

“This would apply to texts, this would apply to making video calls, this would apply to just making a phone call and holding your phone if you don’t have a Bluetooth speaker in your phone,” says Jackson.

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  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.