New Michigan Law Prohibits Teens From Using a Cell Phone While Driving
Shelby Township and Utica legislators Reps. Pete Lund, Jeff Farrington and Sen. Jack Brandenburg opposed the legislation, while Sen. Tory Rocca supported it.
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A new Michigan law prohibits teen drivers from using a cell phone while driving a car.
According to MichiganVotes.org, Senate Bill 756 applies to any driver with a temporary drivers permit or a level 1 or 2 graduated license—meaning any driver under the age of 17. The law, building on current texting and driving laws, makes it a civil infraction for a teen to use a hands-on cell phone.
Dubbed "Kelsey's Law, the legislation is named for a 17-year-old Sault Ste. Marie girl who died in a car crash in 2010 while she was using her cell phone.
Snyder signed the bill into law Tuesday, according to the Detroit News.
The law passed 74-33 in the House of Representatives and 28-10 in the Senate. Shelby Township's Rep. Pete Lund, Utica's Rep. Jeff Farrington and Shelby's Sen. Jack Brandenburg opposed the legislation, while Utica's Sen. Tory Rocca supported it.
Because violation of the law is a civil infraction, it is up to local municipalities to determine the fine.
The legislation adds to state driving laws that prohibit texting while driving.
In Michigan last year, drivers were reported to be distracted in 3,986 crashes, and using cell phones in 821 crashes, according to the Traffic Improvement Association of Michigan.
macombresident
12:49 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Why in the world would our legislators oppose this? I see so many young drivers on the road while on their cell phones....they just do not have the experience to drive safely & be on the phone. To be honest, most adults can't drive correctly and talk at the same time either. For some reason they are always in front of me!!
Mike Lowry
11:26 am on Sunday, January 13, 2013
I suspect that many young drivers won't be drinking prior to driving, or getting stoned, or driving over the speed limit, etc. you liberal moron. Government does not enforce the laws that already exist so why not add more. Maybe your car insurance rates should increase if you use a cell phone while driving, That's something that the public might understand.... and in the process why not make a law that forces your child to clean her/his room?