Michigan’s Hands-Free Driving Law has been in effect since June 30, 2023, and applies to drivers across Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland County. Whether you are commuting on I-94, driving on Hall Road, or navigating surface streets in Detroit, the law restricts how you may use a mobile electronic device while driving.

What the Law Prohibits

Michigan’s hands-free driving law is codified at MCL 257.602b. The law generally prohibits drivers from holding or manually using a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. This includes making or answering calls, reading or sending text messages, viewing or recording videos, using social media, and manually entering information into a navigation system.

Hands-free and voice-operated use is permitted in certain circumstances. Drivers may generally use a single button press, tap, or swipe to activate or deactivate a function or select a telephone number or name. Navigation may also be used as long as information is not entered manually while driving.

Additional Rules for Teen Drivers

Under MCL 257.602c, known as Kelsey’s Law, drivers with a Level 1 or Level 2 graduated driver’s license face stricter restrictions on mobile phone use. These drivers generally may not use a cellular telephone while operating a motor vehicle, including through a voice-operated system integrated into the vehicle, with limited exceptions for emergency situations.

Penalties for Violations

A first violation of Michigan’s hands-free law carries a $100 fine, 16 hours of community service, or both. A second or subsequent violation carries a $250 fine, 24 hours of community service, or both. Drivers who receive three violations within a three-year period must complete a driving-improvement course.

If a driver causes a crash while violating the hands-free law, the applicable civil fine is doubled.

What This Means if a Distracted Driver Caused Your Crash

When a driver violates MCL 257.602b at the time of a crash that injures another person, that violation may be relevant to a civil negligence claim. A traffic violation does not automatically establish civil liability, but evidence that a driver was holding or using a mobile device in violation of the law at the time of a crash is a fact that an attorney would evaluate as part of any claim.

Michigan’s no-fault system may provide eligible crash victims with PIP benefits regardless of fault. Whether additional claims may be available depends on the nature of the injuries and the circumstances of the crash.

If you were injured in a crash involving a distracted driver in Macomb, Wayne, or Oakland County, our team may be able to help. To speak with a Michigan personal injury attorney, contact us today.

Sources: