While National Distracted Driving Awareness Month concludes in April, Michigan officials in May will continue to reinforce the message that staying focused behind the wheel saves lives.

To protect drivers, passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike, law enforcement across the state plan to step up efforts over the next month to combat distracted driving.

They are taking part in Operation Ghost Rider, an initiative aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving.

With an increase in handheld device use among drivers on Michigan roadways, law enforcement agencies across the state are partnering with the National Transportation Safety Organization to strengthen enforcement.

Operation Ghost Rider is led by NTSO and funded by NTSO and the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, according to a news release.

“Safety on our roads depends on the choices each of us make every time we get behind the wheel,” said Jim Santilli, CEO of NTSO. “One moment of distraction can inflict lasting harm on families. We are asking drivers to partner with us to protect our communities, with a goal of zero violations because that means everyone is working together to keep people safe.”

Launched in 2017, Operation Ghost Rider uses unmarked vehicles staffed with law enforcement officers who spot distracted drivers and alert nearby marked units to make traffic stops.

“Distracted driving continues to pose a serious threat to everyone on the road,” Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, said in the news release. “Each of us can take responsibility and do our part by putting our phones down while driving.”

A recent observational study from Michigan State University found that mobile device use by drivers increased from 5.2% in 2024 to 5.7% in 2025.

According to the Michigan State Police, motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver decreased by 4.6% from 15,136 in 2023 to 14,439 in 2024. However, the number of fatalities in distraction-involved crashes increased 10% from 59 fatalities in 2023 to 65 in 2024.

“While fewer distracted-driving crashes is encouraging news, the increase in mobile device use and distracted-driving-related fatalities is alarming,” Alicia Sledge, OHSP director, said in the news release. “Nearly 300 people have died in distraction-involved crashes in Michigan from 2020 to 2024. That should concern every roadway user and underscores the need for people to embrace safer-driving habits.”

Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation highlights the risk: drivers using a handheld device are four times more likely to be involved in an injury-causing crash, and texting increases crash risk by 23 times.

In 2023, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a bill making it illegal to hold or manually use a cell phone or other mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle on Michigan roads. This includes situations where a vehicle is stopped at a light or in traffic but does not apply when the vehicle is legally parked. Under the law, drivers cannot hold or support a device with any part of their hands, arms or shoulders. Even if a device is mounted on the dashboard or connected to the vehicle’s built-in system, drivers are prohibited from using their hands to operate it beyond a single touch.

Penalties for violations include: a $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service for a first offense; a $250 fine and/or 24 hours of community service for second or subsequent violations; and a mandatory driving improvement course for three violations within a three-year period. Additionally, fines are doubled if a traffic crash occurs and the at-fault driver was found to be holding or manually using a mobile device while operating the vehicle.

Michigan law enforcement and safety advocates alike are united in their message: Put the phone down. Eyes on the road. Hands on the wheel. Lives depend on it.