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Thanks in part to a national campaign sponsored by AAA, the act of composing, reading or sending electronic text messages while driving will become illegal in Michigan effective Thursday, July 1, 2010.

Michigan joins 27 other states in enacting this legislation, which prohibits behind-the-wheel texting via cell phones, laptop computers plus a host of other wireless communication devices. Certain emergency situations will be exempt.

The Penalties for Texting

Under Michigan law, texting while driving will be classified as a primary offense, which means you can be pulled over and ticketed based on a text messaging offense alone. Violators will face a fine of $100 for a first offense; $200 for subsequent offenses.

Ban Backed by Public

This welcome reform stems from a groundswell of public support - punctuated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's findings attributing nearly 6,000 deaths and 500,000 injuries in 2008 to distracted driving habits - such as texting.

Additional findings have shown that individuals who text while driving are more than 20 times more likely to be involved in a crash than non-distracted drivers. Michigan's new anti-texting law will help reduce this dangerous behavior and lead to safer roadways.