STERLING HEIGHTS, Michigan, April 29, 2018 – As National Distracted Driving Awareness Month comes to an end, Michigan motorists are being reminded to avoid distractions while driving by keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
More than fifty law enforcement officers from police departments, sheriff’s offices, and the Michigan State Police will begin conducting Operation Ghost Rider on Monday. The goal is to reduce distracted driving deaths and injuries. This lifesaving initiative is being coordinated by the Transportation Improvement Association (TIA) and funded by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.
Participating agencies include the Auburn Hills Police Department, Clinton Township Police Department, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby Township Police Department, Sterling Heights Police Department, and Utica Police Department.
Operation Ghost Rider was revealed at a press conference in Macomb County last year. During a total of 18 hours of enforcement, law enforcement officers conducted more than 907 traffic stops resulting in 726 citations and 34 arrests.
According to TIA, records indicate 72 people were killed and 7,652 were injured in 20,115 crashes involving a distracted driver during 2017.
Drivers who use a hand-held device are 4 times more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.