(WWJ) Heads up: Undercover officers are once again out and about targeting distracted drivers across Michigan.
Law enforcement agencies across the state are participating in what they're calling "Operation Ghost Rider" this week.
Unmarked officers will look for drivers texting, watching videos, browsing the internet, putting on makeup, eating or doing other distracting things.
Officers in many cities, including Utica, Sterling Heights, Troy and Shelby Township, as well as the Macomb and Oakland County Sheriff's departments, are taking part.
Speaking to WWJ's Charlie Langton, National Transportation Safety Organization CEO Jim Santilli declined toshare any specifics as to where these police in unmarked cars would be.
"We're going to be all over the place," Santilli said. "This programs going on in Metro Detroit right now, but it's also going on the Lansing area, it's going on in Grand Rapids, the Thumb area...So, statewide."
Santilli said a distracted driving ticket will cost you $100 to $200.
He offered this advice to drivers who are pulled over.
"My first advice would be, be honest, own up to it, admit to your mistake," Santilli said. "Admit that you were endangering the public and shouldn't be doing it, and show that you're not going to do that going forward."
A recent study from Michigan State University showed that some distracted driving habits actually increased from 2024 to 2025, even after the state's new Hands Free Law went into effect.
They've also been looking into the data at Wayne State University, where College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences faculty member Dr. Randall Commissaris said these new laws do seem to be helping some.
"The requirement that if you use a cell phone for a conversation, it has to be in a hands-free mode has had some positive impacts," Commissaris told WWJ's Amanda Forrester WWJ's Amanda Forrester. "And that results in fewer injuries."
This is the 9th year for Operation Ghost Rider in Michigan.
