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Bill would increase penalties for using smartphone while driving

Posted at 9:52 AM, May 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-17 10:54:50-04

LANSING, Mich. — It is illegal to text and drive, but a state lawmaker wants to make it illegal to use your phone at all while driving, if not in the hands-free mode.

Rep. Martin Howrylak introduced House Bill 4466, which would ban drivers from using Facebook, Twitter, and other mobile applications behind the wheel.

Violators would face a $200 and points on their driver's license.

Statistics show drivers are more than four times likely to get into a crash while using a hand-held device.

Parents of West Michigan teen Jacob Freybler, who was killed in a car crash in 2014 because he was texting, are fighting to get the legislation passed.

"It’s costing lives… and if we can save one or two lives in our son’s place then we’ve done our job," Jim Freybler, the teen's father, told FOX 17 in April.