Michigan Fights Distracted Driving

A 16-year-old Michigan girl’s tragic death is serving as inspiration for a traffic safety campaign across the state. The teen died after being struck by a car driven by a distracted driver, and her mother is working with the Traffic Improvement Association of Michigan and county officials to educate drivers about the hazards of driving while distracted, especially when using cell phones and texting.
Distracted Driving Statistics
The director of the TIA observed that, in the time it takes to send a text or email, a driver takes his or her eyes off the road for 4 to 6 seconds – the same amount of time it takes a driver to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph.
The rate of traffic fatalities for all of Michigan is 0.94 deaths per million miles, and car accidents affect a disproportionately high number of young people. Nationwide, traffic accidents are the primary cause of death for people ages 15 to 20 years old.
Michigan’s Distracted Driving Law
The TIA’s safety campaign has a goal of zero deaths. To move toward that goal, besides distributing its educational materials to increase driver awareness, the TIA recommends better enforcement of existing law. Michigan law does not ban all cellphone use while driving, but it does ban texting while driving.
The penalty for texting while driving is a $100 fine for the first violation, and a $200 fine for subsequent violations. In addition, a distracted driver who causes serious injury or death in an accident may be found negligent and held responsible for the accident in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
When someone is injured or killed due to a distracted driver, a personal injury attorney can be a great help. Victims and their families may be able to sue the driver for medical expenses, lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been hurt by a distracted driver, contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney for more information.