A DRIVER admitted hands-free driving laws slip her mind while driving, but it’s too late when she notices an important reminder.
Michigan has implemented a speakerphone driving regulation about a year ago, and law enforcement in the state is learning that some old habits aren’t easy to break.
When the cell phone law went into effect, it was with the aim of preventing drivers from putting themselves and others in danger.
A year later, many residents are still caught using their phones behind the wheel, local NBC affiliate reports WILX reported.
Lansing, Michigan The driver received a ticket for violating Michigan’s hands-free driving law, while one of WILX’s reporters traveled with the Ingham County Sheriff to see how bad it was out there for herself.
“I totally forgot there was a law,” Brigitte Brown said of being caught on her cell phone while driving.
“Until I saw the police officer and he recorded it, it was like ‘Oh no!’ and as soon as I saw him I knew I was in trouble.”
Despite his memory lapse, Brown received a $235 fine for violating the hands-free law.
The resident explained that she was on a call to expedite her passport when she was located by authorities.
“I looked in the rearview mirror and thought, boy, that looks like a cop behind me, so I tried to take the phone away from my ear,” she said.
“As soon as I did that, the sirens went off and he stopped me.”
No matter the driver’s excuse, the sheriff is serious about cracking down on drivers using their phones behind the wheel.
Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth said he sees it every day.
He took the news team with him as he patrolled in his unmarked car.
“We’ve simply seen many go back to these bad habits,” he emphasized.
What defines distracted driving?
The Michigan Department of Transportation, among other states, defines distracted driving as:
- Make a voice or video call while behind the wheel
- Send or read a text message or email
- Record, watch or send videos
- Scroll or post on social media platforms
- Surfing the internet
- Checking or using GPS or other navigation systems
- “Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves three types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive,” Michigan’s page on the hands-free law said.
- Visual distraction is physically taking your eyes off the road, while manual is defined as taking the driver’s hands off the steering wheel. Cognitive means the driver has taken their mind off driving.
“And we’re just continually trying to educate people, it’s not about issuing tickets, it’s about safer roads.”
He added that officers have discretion and can decide if they don’t want to ticket a driver.
The officer made his first traffic stop within the first 15 minutes of being on the road.
“Do you know why I’m stopping you?” he asked the car owner.
“No,” replied the driver.
“I am not.”
The sheriff said, “You had a phone in your hand.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
