LANSING, Mich.(WSYM) - According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, drivers who use handheld devices are four times more likely to get into a crash .
Okemos resident Beth Grimshaw says she's not surprised.
"You see people looking down when they are driving down the road on the highway and in town," Grimshaw said.
Grimshaw tells me she is always on edge.
"It's just not a really good idea," She adds.
And she is not alone, many others believe it's a serious issue.
Haslett resident Milton Scales says distracted driving is definitely a problem and it seems more common with our younger generation.
"If you get a text message or a phone call, those can wait," says Michigan State Police Trooper Ben Breslin, " It is more important to focus on the road, driving, and where you need to get to safely."
But that could change soon, State Rep. Martin Howrlyak (R-Troy) introduced a hands-free legislation Friday.
If the legislation is signed into a law, drivers may use an electronic device if it is safely mounted on the windshield, dashboard, or center console in a way that it does not impede the driver's view of the road .
Drivers may also use a device in the hands-free mode as long as they can use any function on the device with a single swipe or tap of the finger.
"The number of distracted drivers continues to rise and we must take action to make our roadways safer," said Rep. Howrylak. " House Bill 4466 seeks to ensure Michigan drivers have their attention focused on the road at all times, instead of a mobile device.
Senator Rick Jones says he supports the new legislation but isn't sure it will pass.
"This legislation has been tried before, but it has never passed because a lot of people object to it," said Jones, R-Grand Ledge. " We never had the votes for it."
And while some motorists think the new proposal will work, others disagree.
"I am not sure about this pending legislation ," said Scales. " How would you actually enforce this law that they're proposing ?"
