Reps. Iden, Allor, Brinks, Canfield, Chirkun, Cochran, Faris, Gay-Dagnogo, Geiss, Greig, Howrylak, Jones, Kahle, Kelly, Love, Maturen, Rendon and Sneller offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 312.

            A resolution to declare April 24, 2018, as Distracted Driving Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Distracted driving is defined as any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving; and

            Whereas, Distracted driving claims the lives of thousands of people each year and causes hundreds of thousands of injuries; and

            Whereas, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 90% of car crashes are the result of driver error; and

            Whereas, Although Michigan law prohibits drivers from reading, manually typing or sending a text message while driving, 41 percent of young adult drivers admitted to sending texts and emails on a regular basis while driving, according to a recent statewide telephone survey conducted for the Office of Highway Safety Planning; and

            Whereas, According to a 2011 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study, 69% of U.S. drivers ages 18-64 surveyed said they have talked on their phone while driving and 31% said they have read or sent email or text messages while driving; and

            Whereas, The improved health and well-being of Michigan citizens are a direct result of increased awareness about the dangers of distracted driving; and

            Whereas, The campaign against distracted driving has also been immensely aided by law enforcement efforts in Michigan; and

            Whereas, A month dedicated to programs and activities about distracted driving will greatly raise awareness; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare April 24, 2018, as Distracted Driving Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.