In support of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning is preparing a high-visibility enforcement effort called “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” During the month of April, law enforcement officers will remind drivers about the dangers of distracted driving while enforcing Michigan’s Texting While Driving Law. The goal of this initiative is to reduce traffic crashes caused by distracted drivers, ultimately preventing injuries and deaths associated with cell phone use and texting while driving.

According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, michigantrafficcrashfacts.org, there were 16,543 motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver in Michigan during 2021, and 59 of those crashes resulted in a fatality.

Research shows that Millennials and Generation Z are the most distracted drivers, often using their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media while behind the wheel. Only 6.7 percent of Michigan drivers are under the age of 21, but that same group accounted for 18.1 percent of the distracted-driving crashes in 2021.

U Drive U Text U Pay

Distracted driving is a leading cause of vehicle crashes on our roads, and most of that distraction is attributed to texting while driving. During the month of April, law enforcement will be stepping up enforcement by stopping and ticketing anyone who is caught texting while driving.

Violating Michigan’s Texting While Driving Law can be costly–$100 ticket for the first offense, and $200 ticket for each subsequent offense.

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. Remember: “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” For more information, visit www.Michigan.gov/DistractedDriving.

Distracting activities include:

– Texting or messaging

– Checking social media

– Talking on the phone, even hands-free

– Watching videos

– Eating, drinking, or smoking

– Grooming

– Looking after children or pets

– Chatting with passengers

– Searching or reaching for an item

– Looking at crashes or roadside sights

– Checking a navigation system

– Reading anything, including maps

– Adjusting climate or music controls

– Listening to loud music

How not to be distracted:

– Use your phone’s Do Not Disturb feature or an app to silence calls and texts.

– Put your phone in the glove box or elsewhere to curb the urge to look at it.

– Avoid eating, drinking, and smoking while driving.

– Never attempt to read while driving, including a map.

– Do not do any personal grooming or adjust your clothing while driving.

– Avoid a lot of interaction with passengers.

– Emotions can interfere with driving. Do not drive when you are angry or upset.

– Keep music at a reasonable level, and avoid using headphones or earbuds.

– Pull over to a safe location and park your vehicle if you need to make or take a call.

– Do not drive with a pet on your lap.

– Ask a passenger to help navigate, change the music, or monitor your texts.

– Pull over to a safe place to address situations involving children.

– Do not daydream when you are behind the wheel.

Take Action

– Remind your friends and family: If you’re in the driver’s seat, it’s the only thing you should be doing. No distractions.

– If your driver is texting or otherwise distracted, tell them to stop and focus on the road.

– Ask your friends to join you in pledging not to drive distracted. You could save a life. Share your pledge on social media to spread the word — #JustDrive.