Michigan's new hands-free driving law takes effect Friday: What to know

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A new law making it illegal to hold or use a cellphone while driving in
Michigan will take effect on Friday, June 30.

Drivers can get pulled over and ticketed if they are holding or using a
cellphone for any reason, whether it’s to make a call, send a text, scroll
social media, etc. Prior to the new rules, it was illegal to text while
driving in Michigan -- but that rule was established years ago, when
cellphone use and their capabilities were much different.

The Michigan Legislature approved the new rules this year in an effort to
curb distracted driving and crashes related to it. Whitmer signed the
legislation into law earlier this month, making Michigan one of 26 states
to have hands-free driving laws on the books.

Michigan drivers should instead use hands-free options if necessary, such
as making voice commands through a vehicle’s hands-free technology or a
mounted cellphone. The Michigan Department of Transportation said Thursday
that it will begin installing signs announcing the new law at state and
border crossings. Messaging will also be posted on signs on roadways,
officials said.

Here’s what you need to know about the law.

The specifics
The new hands-free driving law will make any cellphone use that isn’t
hands-free illegal, including scrolling, searching, calling, etc.

The Michigan law makes it illegal to “use a mobile electronic device to do
any task, including, but not limited to” the following:

Send or receive a telephone call.
Send, receive, or read a text message.
View, record, or transmit a video.
Access, read, or post to a social networking site.
It is also illegal to reach for a cellphone or mobile electronic device in
a way that requires the driver to maneuver so that they’re no longer “in a
seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt.”

Under the law, holding or using a cellphone while driving becomes a
primary offense -- meaning that law enforcement can pull someone over and
ticket them for this offense. However police are not allowed to search a
driver solely because of this violation.

The law defines holding a cellphone or electronic devise as physically
supporting it with “any part of the hands, arms or shoulders.”

“Mobile electronic device” is defined as any “electronic device that is
not permanently installed in a motor vehicle, including, but not limited
to, a device capable of text messaging, voice communication,
entertainment, navigation, accessing the internet, or producing email.”

The fines
Drivers caught violating the law can face fines and/or be required to
perform community service.

If a person is caught holding or using a cellphone, or mobile electronic
device, while driving a regular motor vehicle, they would face the
following fines:

First violation: $100 fine or 16 hours of community service, or both.
Second or subsequent violation: $250 fine or 24 hours of community
service, or both.
If three violations occur within a 3-year period: The driver would be
ordered by the court to complete a driver improvement course.
If a person driving a commercial vehicle or a school bus is caught holding
or using a cellphone, they would face the following fines:

First violation: $200 fine or 32 hours of community service, or both.
Second or subsequent violation: $500 fine or 48 hours of community
service, or both.
If a crash were to occur and the at-fault driver was holding or using a
cellphone while driving, any civil fines ordered “must be double the
amount that would otherwise be ordered.”

Exceptions to the rule
There are some exceptions to the new driving rules.

Law enforcement, first responders and other public emergency workers won’t
be prohibited from using a cellphone while performing official duties. The
same exception goes for anyone calling or texting 911, a law enforcement
agency, or another emergency service to report an emergency or seek help.

Drivers aren’t prohibited from using their GPS, but only if they aren’t
using and holding their phone to access it or type in information. Phones
can be used as navigation systems, so long as it is in a hands-free
fashion, such as mounting it to the dashboard or using voice commands to
control it.

Generally, hands-free cellphone use is allowed, such as using a system
built into the vehicle, or using voice commands to access the phone.

Red lights are not exceptions, however. Even if a driver is at a complete
stop at a red light, it would still be illegal to hold and use a
cellphone.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2023/06/29/michigans-new-
hands-free-driving-law-take-effect-friday-what-to-know/

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But reparations.

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group/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/c_scale,w_900/v1/media/gmg/EX6QLAOAOZDA7L
EJ7GYYNMRZEU.png?_a=AJFJtWIA

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Wednesday, the US Marshals asked for
the public's help to find the suspect wanted in the murders of two people
in a shooting that also injured several others.

The suspect, identified as Tamar Louis Lorenzo Young, U.S. Marshals
confirm is now in custody.

"The subject... is in custody... Thank you for your partnership in putting
this information out to the community," said Salvatore Valgoi, Fugitive
Taskforce Supervisor (A) with the U.S. Marshals Service.

The incident happened just after 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 26 at 815 George
PL in Ypsilanti. Washtenaw County Sheriff's Deputies say an altercation
led to the shooting that left two people dead and several others injured.

Police have identified Tamar Louis Lorenzo Young as the alleged gunman. He
is described as a Black male, standing around 6 feet 1 inch tall and
weighing around 170 pounds. He has brown eyes, and his last known
hairstyle was dreadlocks with tips dyed red and purple. He was last seen
wearing all-black clothing and running from the scene.

Young has a history of weapons offenses and is believed to be armed and
dangerous.

If you have any information about the incident, contact the U.S. Marshals
Service, Eastern District of Michigan at (313) 202- 6458 or the U.S.
Marshals Service tip line at (866) 865-TIPS (8477).

https://www.wxyz.com/news/region/washtenaw-county/us-marshals-searching-
for-suspect-in-double-fatal-ypsilanti-shooting

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No reparations.

A domestic violence shooting in Detroit has led to the recovery of 18
firearms, including a machine gun, and a federal criminal complaint
against one man.

Sallah Algahmi, 37, of Melvindale, was charged in a criminal complaint
with being unlawfully in possession of firearms and knowingly in receipt
of counterfeit federal law enforcement badges.

Court records indicate that the charges stemmed from an incident that
occurred on Friday (May 19) when the wife of the 37-year-old reported that
he had fired a gun at her while she sat in her car.

Although she was not injured, the incident led to police searching the
residence in Melvindale on Thursday (June 8), where police found 18
firearms, various ammunition, and two fake police badges.

The ongoing investigation determined that the firearm used during the
domestic assault on May 19 was one of the 18 firearms recovered from the
residence.

Officials say several of the firearms were stolen or unregistered, one had
an obliterated serial number, and at least one firearm was classified as a
machine gun.

Algahmi, at the time of the domestic dispute, had the counterfeit badge of
the Drug Enforcement Administration and a fake Department of Defense
federal law enforcement badge.

The 37-year-old faces a maximum of 15 years imprisonment for unlawful
possession of firearms.

“Through his illegal possession of an arsenal of 18 firearms, including a
machine gun, and his willingness to use a firearm against a family member,
this defendant represented an ongoing threat to the community,” said U.S.
Attorney Dawn Ison. “This threat has been stopped by the swift actions of
law enforcement, and we are thankful this case did not result in someone
being injured or killed.”

“All people deserve to feel safe in their relationships,” said ATF Detroit
Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “Alhahmi’s repeated use of firearms to
commit domestic violence is unacceptable. ATF and our law enforcement
partners remain resolute in holding violent offenders who threaten the
safety of their family and our community accountable.”

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2023/06/30/domestic-violence-
shooting-in-detroit-leads-to-recovery-of-18-firearms-machine-gun-fake-
badges/

[f***@gmail.com]

But reparations.

https://res.cloudinary.com/graham-media-
group/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/c_scale,w_900/v1/media/gmg/EX6QLAOAOZDA7L
EJ7GYYNMRZEU.png?_a=AJFJtWIA

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. – United States Marshals are searching for a
teenager connected to the Washtenaw County shooting that left two people
dead and two others seriously injured.

Deputies with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting
happened Monday evening, June 26, in the 800 block of George Place in
Ypsilanti Township.

Officials believe Tamar Louis Lorenzo Young, 19, fired shots at people
inside a car, striking all four occupants. The car crashed while leaving
the scene.

Young is about 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 170 pounds. He has brown
eyes and black hair with the tips dyed red and purple, police said.

He was last seen wearing all black clothing.

Tamar Louis Lorenzo Young (United States Marshals)
Authorities said Young has a criminal history that includes weapons
offense. He’s believed to be armed and dangerous, they said.

Anyone with information on Young’s whereabouts is asked to call the U.S.
Marshals Service at 313-202-6458 or 866-865-TIPS, call Crime Stoppers at
1-800-SPEAK-UP to remain anonymous, or click here to submit an online tip.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2023/06/29/us-marshals-search-
for-teen-after-2-killed-2-badly-hurt-in-washtenaw-county-shooting/