LANSING (WWJ) - A bill that would more than double the fine for a first offender caught texting and driving in Michigan is moving ahead in Lansing.
The House Transportation Committee on Wednesday approved the measure, introduced by state Rep. Jason Sheppard, which would raises the penalty from $100 for a first violation to $250, and from $200 for a second violation up to $500.
"Distracted driving is dangerous for everyone on the road -- don't put others at risk," said Sheppard, a Republican representing Temperance. "With stricter penalties, this plan will help deter drivers from reckless behavior. Keeping our eyes on the road will save Michigan lives."
The State House said in a news release that the plan is part of a bipartisan package that would add reading an email or sending a message on cell phone social media apps to the list of banned activities for drivers and also limits new drivers under the age of 18 or with a level 1 or level 2 graduated license from talking or listening to a cellphone call while driving except in the case of an emergency.
The bill's cosponsor, Northern Michigan Republican Rep. Triston Cole, said the goal is to deter people from using their phones at all while driving, while increasing the tools that law enforcement can use to address the issue.
"Texting is illegal right now, but there's a multitude of other things that you can do on a handheld advice that is still going on on the highways today," Cole told WWJ Newsradio 950's Dan Jenkins."Specifically, this would address, you know, somebody shopping on EBay, or checking in on their Instagram account, or scrolling through Facebook -- that kinda thing.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drivers who text are up to eight times as likely to be involved in a crash.
House Bill 4199 now moves to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration..
