Multi-State Crackdown Targets Distracted Driving Violations

Law enforcement agencies in Michigan, Indiana, and Ontario team up to enforce hands-free driving laws.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:07am

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A multi-state initiative has launched to crack down on distracted driving violations, with law enforcement agencies in Michigan, Indiana, and Ontario, Canada, working together to enforce hands-free driving laws. The campaign coincides with Distracted Driving Awareness Month and aims to raise awareness and reduce the number of crashes caused by drivers using their phones behind the wheel.

Why it matters

Distracted driving has become a major safety concern, with an increasing number of crashes and fatalities linked to drivers using their phones. This coordinated effort across state and international borders demonstrates the seriousness with which authorities are addressing this issue and the importance of consistent enforcement to change driver behavior and improve road safety.

The details

The crackdown is focused on I-94, a major interstate highway that runs through all three regions. Law enforcement officers from various agencies are conducting traffic stops and issuing citations to drivers caught using their phones while driving. The fines for a first-time offense in Michigan can reach $225. The initiative comes just a few months after a Taylor, Michigan, police officer was rear-ended by a distracted driver on their phone while conducting a traffic stop on I-94.

  • The crackdown began on April 1, 2026, kicking off Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
  • Michigan's hands-free driving law went into effect in 2023.

The players

Taylor Police Department

A local law enforcement agency in Taylor, Michigan, that is participating in the multi-state distracted driving crackdown.

Steve Kiefer

The founder and chairman of the Kiefer Foundation, an organization named after his son, Mitchell, who was killed in 2016 by a driver using a cellphone. The foundation has worked to pass hands-free driving laws in Michigan and other states.

Mitchell Kiefer

The son of Steve Kiefer, who was killed in 2016 while a student at Michigan State University by a driver using a cellphone. The Kiefer Foundation was established in his memory to promote distracted driving awareness and legislation.

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What they’re saying

“In Michigan, it is a hands-free state, so you cannot touch your phone while you're driving at all.”

— Robert Sullins, Taylor Police Officer

“He was on a traffic stop on this freeway right here and someone on their phone rear-ended him, just drove straight into the back end of his police car. She admitted to being on her phone, admitted that was the reason why she just didn't see him and crashed right into the back end of him.”

— Robert Sullins, Taylor Police Officer

“The data is pretty clear that the laws have been effective and crashes and fatalities are starting to come down. Getting these laws passed around the country and knowing that we're saving lives in his (Mitchel's) honor is really the best way we can keep his memory alive.”

— Steve Kiefer, Founder and Chairman, Kiefer Foundation

What’s next

The multi-state crackdown on distracted driving violations is expected to continue throughout Distracted Driving Awareness Month and beyond, with law enforcement agencies in Michigan, Indiana, and Ontario working together to enforce hands-free driving laws and raise awareness about the dangers of using phones while behind the wheel.

The takeaway

This coordinated effort across state and international borders demonstrates the seriousness with which authorities are addressing the growing problem of distracted driving. By working together to enforce hands-free laws and educate the public, they hope to change driver behavior and reduce the number of crashes and fatalities caused by the use of phones while driving.