Michigan Distracted Driving: Laws, Risks, and What Drivers Should Know

Distracted driving in Michigan isn’t just about texting; it includes anything that takes your eyes, hands, or focus off the road. Whether it’s reaching for a dropped phone or adjusting your GPS, these actions increase the risk of serious crashes and injuries.

📵 What Counts as Distracted Driving?

The U.S. Department of Transportation outlines three types of distraction:

• Visual: Taking your eyes off the road
• Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel
• Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving

Every time you look down at your phone or adjust your playlist, you reduce your reaction time. According to the NHTSA, distracted drivers caused 3,450 fatalities and over 431,000 injuries nationwide in 2016 alone.

🚫 Common Examples of Distracted Driving

• Texting or reading messages 📱
• Adjusting your navigation or radio
• Eating or drinking while driving
• Grooming or applying makeup
• Reaching for fallen objects
• Talking on the phone, even hands-free

⚖️ Current Michigan Distracted Driving Penalties

As of now, Michigan law prohibits texting while driving but does not yet ban all handheld phone use statewide. Here’s what the law says:

• 📍 Texting Ban: Drivers may not read, manually type, or send texts while driving.
• 💰 Fines: $100 for the first offense, $200 for repeat offenses.
• ⚠️ No points: Citations do not add points to your driving record.
• 🚨 Exceptions: Permitted for reporting crashes or emergencies.

👩‍🏫 Special Restrictions for New Drivers

Michigan’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program prohibits Level 1 and Level 2 drivers from any phone use while driving:

• 📵 Full ban: No texting or calling handheld or hands-free
• 🧾 Penalty: Civil infraction with fines up to $240
• 🚑 Allowed: Only for emergencies, hazards, or safety threats

🏙️ Local Cell Phone Bans in Michigan Cities

Some Michigan municipalities enforce stricter laws. Cities like Troy and Battle Creek have enacted bans on all handheld phone use. To see if your city is affected, check Michigan’s official distracted driving list here.

📚 Want the Full Breakdown of the New No-Touch Law?

Are you seeking information about Michigan’s latest 2023 law, which prohibits the use of any handheld device, even during stoplights? Read our guide: 📵 Michigan’s No-Touch Driving Law: What You Need to Know in 2025.

✅ Final Tip

Distractions don’t have to be digital. Focused driving saves lives and could protect your insurance rates, too. Stay alert, preset your GPS or playlist, and make the road your only priority behind the wheel.