The legislation is making it illegal to hold and use a mobile electronic product while operating a motor vehicle in Michigan. This will take effect June 30, making Michigan the 26th state to establish hands-free laws for driving. Texting while driving has already been illegal in Michigan.
However, the new law would prohibit individuals from using cellphones while driving as well. The only exception would be unless it’s being used via a hands-free program or device, like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or physically mounted to a vehicle.
The prohibitions would be House Bills 4250, 4251, and 4252 that are intended to reduce distracted-driving crashes and fatalities. The law will make it illegal to “use a mobile electronic device to do any task, including, but not limited to.” The list of prohibitions includes to send or receive a telephone call, send/ receive or read a text message. Moreover, to record or transmit a video, access, read or post to a social networking site.
The law makes holding or using a cell phone while driving a primary offense. This would mean that an officer could pull someone over and ticket them for this offense. Their law specifically the states, however, that police would not be allowed to search a driver solely because of this violation.