Michigan has launched a statewide distracted driving enforcement campaign that will use unmarked police vehicles to spot motorists who are not paying attention behind the wheel. Marked police cars will then stop drivers identified by the unmarked units.
The campaign, which began over the weekend, is being overseen by the National Transportation Safety Organization and involves the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning along with numerous state and local police agencies. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Operation Ghost Rider is one of several crackdowns planned for the month.
The push comes after Michigan passed a distracted driving law in 2023 that makes it illegal to hold any smartphone device while driving, including at a red light. Jim Santilli said road safety depends on the choices drivers make every time they get behind the wheel, and added that one moment of distraction can inflict lasting harm on families.
The enforcement effort lands as Michigan tries to drive home a message that the law is already in place, but the behavior it targets remains common enough to warrant a statewide sweep. Across 2020 to 2024, distracted driving caused nearly 300 deaths, even as crashes tied to distraction have fallen over time. At the same time, the share of drivers using a mobile device while driving rose from 5.2% in 2024 to 5.7% in 2025.
Santilli said authorities are asking drivers to partner with them to protect communities, with a goal of zero violations because that would mean everyone is working together to keep people safe. The next phase is simple: drivers either leave the phone alone, or they may find a marked cruiser waiting after an unmarked car spots the offense.
