Battle Creek Set to Increase Police Patrols Next Week

Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, the city of Battle Creek is set to increase its police patrols next week, from Sunday, June 23, through Saturday, June 29.

According to a press release, the Battle Creek Police Department will have up to 10 extra patrol vehicles on the roads in the Cereal City. These officers will primarily be on the lookout for aggressive driving habits such as speeding. This is in response to concerns from the community as a whole.

Of course, officers will also be handling other traffic offenses such as distracted driving driving without license plates.

It's worth reminding the public that Michigan's distracted driving law is in full effect in 2024. This primarily covers the use of a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device to send and receive calls and messages or use social media. Using hands-free devices is the only exception to the law.

The penalties for tickets for distracted driving scale at:

A $100 fine for a 1st violation or 16 hours of community service or both.
A $250 fine for a 2nd or subsequent violation or 24 hours of community service or both, plus one point added to driving record.
Drivers with 3 or more violations within a 3-year period must complete a “basic driver improvement course” and receive two points against their driving record.