#HandsFreeMichigan is a non-profit movement to take another step forward in the fight to end distracted driving and all associated traffic deaths and injuries in the state of Michigan and all throughout the United States.
Texting is by far the most dangerous distraction.
Talking hands-free or hand-held are equally dangerous
Eating, drinking, and smoking often require you to take your hands off of the wheel and your eyes off of the road.
Talking to passengers is particularly a problem for novice or teenage drivers
Combing or styling hair, applying makeup, shaving
Reading newspapers, magazines, your phone or even maps!
Typing info into GPS or looking at maps
Also, watching or filming a video
Searching for tracks, artists, or videos while driving.
Traffic accidents and death caused by distracted driving are 100 percent preventable. However, 10 people die each day due to car accidents caused by distracted drivers. Because of this, I am motivated to take the pledge each time I get behind the wheel. Since putting my phone away while I am in the car can cause one less traffic accident, injury, or death, I don’t see a need to check my phone. Taking the pledge means I understand my choices greatly impact the roads and drivers around me. Knowing the decisions I make while driving could save a life, I choose to be a Hands Free driver.
On September 19, 2016, I arrived home to find a police car in my driveway. When the officer asked me if I was Mrs. Kiefer and asked to go inside the house I knew something terrible had happened. It’s every Mothers nightmare. When he informed me that Mitchel had been in a fatal car crash I thought this can’t be real, there must be some mistake. He then showed me a photo of Mitchel and I fell to the floor with a feeling I can’t even begin to describe. I had no idea what the hours, days, months and even years had in store for me and my family. If we can prevent just one family from this senseless, preventable and unimaginable tragedy we have honored our son in the most important way.
After some close calls on the road and researching some statistics, I’ve completely changed my outlook on distracted driving. The news stories are devastating to see but it’s seeing other individuals on the roadways, both friends and strangers, making near-fatal mistakes while texting or updating their Twitter feed that continues to drive the point home. My phone now remains in my pocket or on my charger while I’m driving and I’ve happily become “that guy” who asks people to put their phones down while driving as well.
