Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of Michigan’s Hands-Free Law.

On June 30th, 2023 Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a bill making it illegal to manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads.

Under the law, a driver cannot hold or support a phone or other device with any part of their hands, arms, or shoulders. Even if a cell phone or other device is mounted on a dashboard or connected to a vehicle’s built-in system, motorists cannot use their hands to operate it beyond a single touch.

Motorists are reminded that they cannot manually do any of the following on a cell phone or other electronic device while driving:

-Make or answer a telephone or video call.
-Send or read a text or email message.
-Watch, record, or send a video.
-Access, read, or post to social media.
-Browse or use the Internet.
-Enter information into GPS or a navigation system.

Numbers provided by Michigan State Police showed that since last week, 17 people died on Michigan roadways making a total of 440 this year. In addition, 164 more were seriously injured for a statewide total of 2,189 to date. Compared to last year at this time, there are 12 fewer fatalities and 86 fewer serious injuries.

On the one-year anniversary, the state encourages people to review information regarding Michigan’s Hands-Free Law. Those links are provided.