Michigan State Police Launch High-Visibility Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign on I-94

LANSING — Michigan State Police are ramping up enforcement efforts along I-94 and across the state during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April 2026, targeting drivers who violate the state's Hands-Free Law.

The multi-agency initiative, dubbed "Lake to Lake, Focused and Safe," spans more than 500 miles from Indiana through Michigan and into Ontario, Canada, with Michigan State Police coordinating with law enforcement agencies across the state and bordering jurisdictions.

Special Lieutenant Patrick Agema of Michigan State Police said the increased presence of troopers on I-94 aims to deter drivers from engaging in risky behaviors such as texting while driving, noting that while most drivers comply with the law, a significant number still do not.

"The goal is to get there and be safe. Put the cell phones down, you don't use risky behavior," Agema said during a press conference in Kalamazoo.

Rising Distracted Driving Fatalities Despite Fewer Crashes

Despite the state's 2023 ban on handheld device use while driving, Michigan State Police reports show an increase in distracted driving deaths according to recently-released data.

According to a study from Michigan State University, mobile device use by drivers increased from 5.2 percent in 2024 to 5.7 percent in 2025. The website Michigan Traffic Crash Facts reported around 600 fewer distracted driving crashes in 2024 compared to 2023.

However, the number of deadly crashes increased by about 10 percent during the same period. A Michigan State Police news release states that while fewer distracted-driving crashes is encouraging news, the increase in mobile device use and distracted-driving-related fatalities is alarming.

According to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning director Alicia Sledge, 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," Sledge said.

Hands-Free Law Penalties

Violating Michigan's Hands-Free Law can be costly for drivers:

  • First offense: $100 ticket and/or 16 hours of community service
  • Second offense: $250 ticket and/or 24 hours of community service
  • Third offense within three years: Driver must complete a driving-improvement course

The enforcement effort is part of the SAFER by 2030 initiative, a collaborative effort by state agencies and traffic safety partners to reduce traffic fatalities on Michigan roadways by 30 percent by the year 2030.

Broader Enforcement Effort

Jim Santilli, CEO of the National Transportation Safety Organization, said stopping the use of handheld devices while driving must be a priority to keep all roadway users safe.

"Distracted driving is not an accident — it is a deliberate choice that can inflict lasting harm on families," Santilli said.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning works with MSU each year to collect data to determine annual handheld device use rates on Michigan roads. Throughout the month of April, police officers will be enforcing Michigan's Hands-Free Law, which took effect on June 30, 2023.

The goal of this initiative is to reduce traffic crashes, injuries and deaths caused by distracted driving, especially those involving the use of a mobile device.

Other risky actions beyond cell phone use include adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking. "Any activity that takes your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel is extremely reckless and can have devastating consequences," Santilli said.

Educational Efforts

Educational efforts by SAFER by 2030 partner agencies include the posting of Hands-Free Law signs at rest stops and Welcome Centers by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the OHSP's distracted-driving paid media campaign, and the Kiefer Foundation's "Just Drive Simulator" for high schools.

For more information about distracted driving and Michigan's Hands-Free Law, residents can visit www.michigan.gov/DistractedDriving.

The multi-state initiative aims to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage drivers across Michigan, Indiana and Ontario to put down their phones and drive safely.

Sources:

  • Michigan State Police News Release: "Distracted Driving Awareness Month will focus on enforcing Hands-Free Law" — https://www.michigan.gov/mspnewsroom/news-releases/2026/04/01/distracted-driving-awareness-month-will-focus-on-enforcing-hands-free-law
  • News Channel 3: "Michigan State Police to boost I-94 patrols in distracted driving crackdown" — https://wwmt.com/news/local/michigan-state-police-to-boost-i-94-patrols-in-distracted-driving-crackdown-west-michigan-kalamazoo
  • FOX 2 Detroit: "Michigan State Police 'Lake to Lake' initiative on April 1 cracks down on distracted drivers" — https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/michigan-state-police-lake-lake-initiative-april-1-cracks-down-districted-drivers
  • National Today: "Multi-State Crackdown Targets Distracted Driving Violations" — https://nationaltoday.com/us/mi/taylor/news/2026/04/02/multi-state-crackdown-targets-distracted-driving-violations