Michigan Law Enforcement Cracking Down on Distracted Driving

Michigan drivers, beware. Law enforcement is conducting "Operation Ghost Rider" to catch you using your cell phone while driving.

Michigan Law Regarding Cellphone Use While Driving

Driving while using an electronic device is not a sport, and unfortunately, it has disturbing statistics for Michigan drivers. In 2024 alone, there were 59 fatal accidents involving cellphones. Over 15,000 crashes were caused by drivers being distracted by their phones.

👇BELOW: 14 Violations That Are Considered Distracted Driving in Michigan👇

Michigan's law that prohibited drivers from using handheld cell phones or mobile electronic devices to talk, text, use social media, or watch videos went into effect in June 2023.

Michigan's penalties for distracted driving include fines, community service, and points on your license, which could increase your auto insurance. The law does allow drivers to use their cell phones hands-free using Bluetooth.

Read More: Checkout Michigan's Biggest Pothole

What is Operation Ghost Rider?

"Operation Ghost Rider" is not an officer in a ghost costume or involving a haunted vehicle, or some other weird movie plot.

"Operation Ghost Rider" is not Men in Black but consists of plain-clothed officers in unmarked cars spotting drivers using their cell phones. The "Ghost Rider" then phones ahead to a marked patrol car that will pull the driver over to educate them on the dangers of distracted driving and may issue a citation.

According to WXYZ, "Operation Ghost Rider" began in 2017 before there were laws against driving in Michigan. Oakland County Sheriff's Deputy Jake Suszko said, "A citation is just a reinforcement mechanism, so you can hopefully alter somebody's behavior, whether that be texting and driving, driving too fast, not signaling when you're changing lanes."