Michigan texting while driving ban will be signed into law by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Friday's 'Oprah Winfrey Show'

[TitsMcGee]

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan's attempts to crack down on distractions on the road will include a ban on sending, typing or reading text messages or e-mails while driving starting July 1.

The state House passed the third and final bill needed for the texting-while-driving ban Wednesday by an 82-22 vote. The legislation already has passed the Senate and is headed to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her signature.

Granholm is scheduled to sign the legislation Friday on a broadcast of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

A first offense will cost $100 and repeat offenses will cost $200. No points would be added to a driver's record.

Texting will be a primary offense, meaning police could pull over motorists solely for using cell phones to send text messages.

Lawmakers who support the ban expect police will be trained to handle the new law and drivers will be well aware of it by July.

"It's going to be a solid implementation and it's going to be fair," said Rep. Lee Gonzales, a Democrat from Flint and one of the texting ban's sponsors. "It's been in the public eye for a long time. ... Texting while driving is a dangerous habit that too many drivers take part in."

The legislation does not ban using cell phones to make calls while driving.

The texting ban drew some opposition from both Republicans and Democrats. Some lawmakers felt it interferes with personal liberties. Others say the ban will give police an option to pull drivers over for little or no reason and make it easier for racial profiling to take place.

But several states have moved in the same direction as Michigan to handle distractions related to cell phone use while driving.

More than half the states already have adopted measures that ban at least some drivers from texting. Several more are in the process of passing laws addressing it. Texting while driving is classified as a primary offense in at least 15 states.

The federal government has sought to crack down on distracted driving, urging states to pass tough laws against it. Winfrey also is taking a stand against distracted driving, which will be featured during her Friday show.

Michigan lawmakers passed the key bills related to the texting ban earlier this month. The final hurdle was agreeing that fine money will go to support public libraries, as is the case with some other traffic fines.

Is it just me or does this law have no teeth?

[Soulrev]

Is it just me or does this law have no teeth?

Yeah I don't see it being brutally enforced. It's just another excuse for cops to pull you over. You might pick up your phone and look at it briefly to check the time or see if someone called while you're driving, and a cop could see you at that very same instant, and assume you're breaking the law. Greaaaaat.

[torn asunder]

it definitely enables cops to pull you over - problem is, people are going to be able to get out of it by saying things like (as soulrev said) i was checking the time, or i was looking up a phone number to make a call, or checking my voicemail, etc.

nothing in the law makes those things illegal, which is where the whole thing is going to blow up. most likely, cops will just use this as a way to stop you, so they can find something else you're doing wrong, so they can cite you for *that*...

[TitsMcGee]

I also find it stupid that she's signing it on Oprah..

[Soulrev]

I also find it stupid that she's signing it on Oprah..

Yeah wtf since when did government proceedings become prime time TV?

[Msterbeau]

Yeah wtf since when did government proceedings become prime time TV?

CSPAN...

OK... Maybe that's not prime time.

[Glory13666]

I do believe that texting while driving is very dangerous but I am very surprised that this law is going into effect already. Also, me getting behind the wheel of a car before having my morning coffee is very dangerous...can they pull me over for that?

[Hellion]

They forgot to mention eating and driving,putting on make up and driving,reading and driving,picking your nose and driving,yeah I can see crooked "assume loving" cops heckling drivers and pedestrians as well,cops love the assume philosophy,bet most have that word tattooed on their arms.I can see this law being abused and lawsuits as well,carry on.

Edited April 29, 2010 by Hellion

[freydis]

I'd bet it will be used more often when a crash occurs.

If someone is able to say perhaps, "I looked up in my rearview before she hit me and she was texting on her cell phone!!" it would mean more charges....

[candyman]

Its all going to be hearsay no matter what they sign into law. This is just going to lead to more court cases that will end up in a dropped charge. If the cop isn't on the scene to see that accident happen nothing will come out of it. Just tale advantage of the situation because in most cases the officer does not produce the ticket or charge by the books...and since the judges in these cases love their cops the don't want their lack of procedure to come to light so they drop the ticket.

Or if you want to avoid all that shit get a Bluetooth ear piece, very cheap, and keep your cell phone in the glovebox until you reach your destination. Then you don't even need to pick it up to make or answer calls!

[creatureofthenyte]

This law Doesn't have any teeth.

If there is no cop on peoples' back bumpers to nail them for this, then they don't give a damn.

They won't care until there is a stiff penalty like points or jail time put into this law.

Or until enough people die in accidents caused by texting/talking.

[Soulrev]

Yeah plus think of this- window tint. That's all it would take to prevent getting caught. My tint is pretty dark on my car. Darker than most legal limits BUT the great part about that is they can only enforce the tint law where your car is licensed. So if I get pulled over in Michigan and a cop says my tint is too black there is nothing he can do about it since I have Indiana plates. If I were in Indiana, however, they could enforce it.

[creatureofthenyte]

Yeah plus think of this- window tint. That's all it would take to prevent getting caught. My tint is pretty dark on my car. Darker than most legal limits BUT the great part about that is they can only enforce the tint law where your car is licensed. So if I get pulled over in Michigan and a cop says my tint is too black there is nothing he can do about it since I have Indiana plates. If I were in Indiana, however, they could enforce it.

Yeah but a lot of states either have a cellphone law or will have one soon.

Besides, using a bluetooth is the safe way to go.

Anything else and you are needlessly risk your life, and that of those around you on the road, and there is no conversation that is worth that.

Edited April 29, 2010 by creatureofthenyte

[Soulrev]

Yeah but a lot of states either have a cellphone law or will have one soon.

Besides, using a bluetooth is the safe way to go.

Anything else and you are needlessly risk your life, and that of those around you on the road, and there is no conversation that is worth that.

Yeah.

Well honestly I don't even talk and drive at all. Not with, not without a handsfree device. My policy is if I'm driving I'm not answering. Don't care if you're calling to tell me the world is going to end in 5 minutes. My phone does not get touched while I drive. I will pull over if I feel I really need to take your call. But honestly, I'm probably not going to pull over, so I just won't take your call. Lol

[Nightgaunt]

it definitely enables cops to pull you over - problem is, people are going to be able to get out of it by saying things like (as soulrev said) i was checking the time, or i was looking up a phone number to make a call, or checking my voicemail, etc.

Then I think the cop should be able to confiscate your phone and check for timestamps on your text history. It's only fair. And safe. You want to be safe, don't you? Oprah and Jennifer want you to be safe.

[Msterbeau]

Then I think the cop should be able to confiscate your phone and check for timestamps on your text history. It's only fair. And safe. You want to be safe, don't you? Oprah and Jennifer want you to be safe.

I LOVE being safe!!