Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The Michigan State Police say that in 2010, nearly 4,000 traffic crashes in the state were caused by distracted drivers.

There’s now a national awareness campaign to crack down on that.

April is being recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The State Police have even sent a public service announcement about it to TV stations all over Michigan.

We at ABC 10 and CW 5 are airing the PSA all this month.

Michigan State Police Sgt. Kevin Dowling from the Negaunee Post says in his experience, distracted driving seems to be on the rise as more and more people have cell phones and smartphones.

Talking on a phone while behind the wheel is still legal in Michigan.

Texting is not.

And a new law took effect in January that commercial drivers need to know about.

Sgt. Dowling says commercial drivers are barred under federal law from talking on the phone while behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration produced the PSA for police agencies nationwide.

Posted by: Mike Hoey