NILES, Mich. – The Michigan State Police department is reminding residents to not text and drive after a distracted driver was involved in a multiple-vehicle collision Monday.
The crash was captured by a MSP trooper’s dashcam near Niles, on Michigan’s southwest side. Police said everyone survived with minor injuries.
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Video of the collision can be seen below.
According to the National Highway Trafic Safety Administration, distracted driving killed nearly 3,000 people in 2018 -- 1,730 drivers, 605 passengers, 400 pedestrians and 77 bicyclists -- and injured about 400,000 people.
Michigan law prohibits texting while driving. For a first offense, motorists are fined $100. Subsequent offenses cost $200.
RELATED: Distracted driving in Michigan: What’s included, potential fines and penalties
Michigan State Police includes the following as activities that could distract a driver:
- Using a cell phone and/or texting
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a PDA or navigation system
- Watching a video
- Changing the radio station, CD, or MP3 player.
- Loud music
Distracted (texting) while driving is risky. This recent video is an illustration of its dangers. Thankfully everyone survived this crash, which was witnessed by Niles Post Sgt. Thompson, w/minor injuries. Click below link to learn more.https://t.co/nZ4evR3dOU pic.twitter.com/LOiMET1Iyo
— MSPSouthwestMI (@MspSouthwestMI) November 23, 2020
Plymouth high school student gets national attention for project spotlighting dangers of distracted driving
A Plymouth high school student is getting national attention for a project spotlighting the dangers of distracted driving.
The project earned second place in a major national competition.
With the support of Students Against Destructive Decisions and Lear Corporation, students across the nation were invited to create videos and memes to drive the message home.