I Assure You, We Will Not Give Up!

Just after Memorial Day, I wrote an article that articulated our need to act immediately to implement hands free legislation in Michigan.

Hands free legislation would make it illegal to hold a mobile device while driving a vehicle - this would be a primary offense, and law enforcement would be empowered to pull drivers over and issue a citation.?Similar legislation has been implemented in 24 states in the US - and in all cases, crashes and fatalities have been reduced.

As frustrated as I was with the political process to that point, I was optimistic that we would get the bill signed into law by July 4. As we approached that date, I continued to be optimistic about the progress we had made and the support these bills had garnered.

Unfortunately, July 4th came and went without the hands free bills making their way to the Senate floor for a vote and, ultimately, the Governor’s office for signing into law.

It is an understatement to say that I was very disappointed and felt that we let down a number of people. First, the thousands of victims’ families that have been impacted by distracted driving and who have been working for so many years to try and put laws in place that will save lives.

Second, the dozens – maybe hundreds – of families that were involved in crashes during the month of July, many due to distracted driving. We may have been able to prevent some of those crashes, injuries, and deaths, had the legislators signed the hands free bills into law and given law enforcement the tool required to pull over drivers that are on their phones rather than focused on the road.

Though nearly a month has passed since the disappointing news, the commitment of The Kiefer Foundation has not changed. We are so disappointed that our legislators have time to prioritize so many other issues, however, the bills that will save lives in Michigan this summer continue to get moved to the back of the line.

We know that the hands free bills would pass through the Senate with incredible bipartisan support - we project that they would pass 34-4 in a Senate floor vote today - yet the leaders will not prioritize them. We have people playing politics and, every day, more Michiganders are injured and killed due to this senseless, selfish act.

I recently attended the Automotive Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Detroit, where I had the opportunity to speak with a number of our supporters -? each encouraged our foundation not to give up. I assure you, we will not give up! We know that 88-percent of the people in this state support effective, enforceable hands free legislation and that more than 80-percent of the legislators support it as well.?

We simply need the legislative leaders in this state to lead or get out of the way. We need the few leaders that are opposed, to get on board, or provide some alternative proposal that will address this epidemic that is killing nearly 50 people every day in this country. Their behavior, and lack of leadership, is endangering the lives of Michiganders.

Our team is more committed than ever to getting these laws implemented, not just in Michigan but in all 50 states as well as around the world. We are continuing to work with new partners – both around the country and globally – that have similar objectives, with a focus on road safety - please join us!?

How you can help:

• If you live in the State of Michigan, reach out to Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (517.373.5932) to stress the importance of hands free legislation.
• Reach out to your state senator today by conducting a search using your address or by looking at a full list of Michigan senators.

We are also doubling down on our Just Drive campaign: “When you are behind the wheel - put down your phone and Just Drive!!”?

Visit mkiefer.org to learn more and become a partner in this important initiative.