Is Michigan About To Go Hands Free?

Michigan could be the next state to ban any hand held device usage behind the wheel.

The Michigan House is looking at a bill right now that would ban the use of a cell phone, unless there is a wireless connection.

Michigan already has a law on the books banning texting while driving, but this would expand the restrictions greatly.  Drivers wouldn't be able to use their phone behind the wheel at all . . . not at a traffic light, or a stop sign.  The ban would cover all electronic devices in the car. The specific wording in the bill is as follows:

conducting a search; viewing, taking, or transmitting an image or video; playing games; performing a command or request to access an internet page; and composing, sending, reading, viewing, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving an e-mail message, text message, instant message or other electronic data

The penalty for getting caught gets bigger for repeat offenders.  $250 for the first offense, and $500 for the second.

The chances of this becoming a new law in Michigan are very good considering the bill has support from both parties. There is also plenty of research showing that traffic accidents are reduced in states that have gone hands free.

So what do you think?  This is something that probably should have gone into law a long time ago, but you can never underestimate how much people don't like to be told what to do.