April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and this is your reminder that since June 7 of last year, it is illegal to use your phone while driving, with very few exceptions. A study conducted by Cambridge Mobile Telematics showed an over 10% decrease in phone usage while driving in the following month. We know that the impact of laws like this can be diminished over time as media coverage fades, so April is a great time for us to remind our friends and family to keep their eyes on the road to make Michigan’s roads safer.
According to a joint report by the Governors Highway Safety Association and Cambridge Mobile Telematics, our state’s hands-free laws have “prevented 2,485 crashes, 11 fatalities, 1,400 injuries and $98 million in economic damages across Michigan’s 8 million drivers since taking effect.” These are traffic jams prevented, insurance claims avoided and, most importantly, lives saved.
District 22 is home to some of the best schools in Michigan, and I was grateful to be welcomed once again to read to students all over Plymouth, Northville and Livonia. As you may know, I was a teacher for over 12 years, and March is my favorite time of the year. I get to talk to students at different points in their educational journeys, some just beginning to learn about government and some who have recently returned from their school trip to the state capitol.
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