Officials remind drivers of hands-free law

In support of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said the agency is teaming with Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning for a high-visibility enforcement program.

Throughout the month, sheriff’s deputies will remind motorists about the dangers of distracted driving while enforcing Michigan’s “Hands-Free Driving” law, which took effect last June.

The most common collision for distracted-driving incidents is rear-end crashes, which accounted for 48.4 percent of all distracted-driving crashes in 2022.

Violation is a $100 ticket for the first offense and $250 for a second incident.