Police Cracking Down On Distracted Driving Monday

METRO DETROIT, MI — Monday is the last day for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and as it comes to an end, law enforcement agencies across the state are conducting covert distracted driving stops. The initiative is called Operation Ghost Rider and police all around the country are taking part.

Operation Ghost Rider in Michigan

More than 50 local officers for police departments, sheriff's offices and Michigan State Police will participate in Operation Ghost Rider. The plan uses unmarked spotter vehicles which contain a law enforcement passenger; When spotters observe a distracted driver, they radio a fully-marked unit to initiate a traffic stop.

Auburn Hills police, Clinton Township police, Macomb County Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police, Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Shelby Township police, Sterling Heights police and Utica police will all be taking part.

“Distracted drivers put themselves and everyone else on the road in extreme danger. That text, phone call, or any other behavior taking your focus off your driving, can and should wait,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police. “We hope this traffic enforcement initiative will help change dangerous driver behavior.”

During 18 hours of Operation Ghost Rider last year, they conducted more than 907 traffic stops with 726 citations and 34 arrests.

How big of a problem is it?

New research shows nearly 9-in-10 people admit to using their smartphone behind the wheel, according to AT&T’s It Can Wait campaign to end distracted driving. But, nearly a quarter of people don’t identify using a smartphone while driving as a major problem.

Surveys reveal through the It Can Wait campaign that drivers do the following:

• 81% Text
• 64% Snap/view photos
• 64% Play music
• 60% Email
• 50% Access social media
• 47% Surf the net
• 36% Watch/stream videos
• 31% Shoot video
• 28% Play games
• 27% Video chat

According to the Transportation Improvement Association, 72 people were killed and 7,652 people were injured in 20,115 crashes involving a distracted driver in 2017. Drivers who use a hand-held device are four times more likely to get into a serious-injury crash, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Texting drivers are 23 more times likely to be involved in a crash.

Authorities say any time with your eyes and hands off the wheel is dangerous.

"Studies indicate a distracted driver takes their eyes off the road for five seconds every time they send or read a text message," said Clinton Township Police Chief Fred Posavets. "At 55 miles per hour, that is the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field while blindfolded."

Learn more or join the It Can Wait campaign by taking pledge to end distracted driving at ItCanWait.com.

Photo courtesy Michigan State Police