Whitmer signs proclamation to reduce distracted driving crashes

On Thursday Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Michigan. 

“We don’t just need better roads, we need safer roads,” said Whitmer. “Car crashes are the number one killer of our young people. That’s why I’m working to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, and why it’s time for Michigan to join the 16 states that have passed hands-free laws to keep our roads and our kids safe. We can’t sit back and do nothing while Michigan families lose their loved ones to distracted driving. I’m eager to work with the legislature to keep our roads safe and protect Michiganders.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car crashes are the number one killer of young people, with six teenagers losing their lives every day. 

Whitmer highlighted distracted driving in her State of the State address by calling on the legislature to join the 16 states that have passed hands-free laws to keep our roads and our kids safe. The governor also hosted Steve Kiefer and Paula Kiefer, who lost their son Mitchel to a distracted driver, and their family as her guests and recognized them for their work with the Kiefer Foundation to turn tragedy into hope for others. 

The Kiefer Foundation has partnered with the Michigan Department of Transportation to put up 1.7 miles of guardrail at the point of Mitchel’s crash and plans to educate 100,000 people on distracted driving.

A bipartisan effort is underway in the legislature to strengthen laws against distracted driving.

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