Wyandotte Patch Readers Discuss New Teen Cell Phone Law

A new Michigan law, known as "Kelsey's Law" which prohibits teen drivers from using a cell phone while driving a car, went into effect Thursday.

According to the bill signed into law earlier this year, if any driver with a temporary drivers permit or a level 1 or 2 graduated license - meaning any driver under the age of 17 - is stopped for a moving violation, he or she could be cited with a civil infraction for using a cell phone. 

Because the violation is a civil infraction, local municipalities will determine the fine.

The legislation was 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.

Readers of the Wyandotte Patch page were asked about their thoughts of law. Here are some of the responses:

• Andrew Lipps: nope, but the city will gain a lot more $$$ from all those tickets...
• Norman Paul-Eric Farmer: I thought this was already illegal lol
• Mitchell Day: Pretty dangerous to do it wether a law or not... all ya need is a close call ONCE!! just ask me
• Rogers Stuff: it aint gonna stop'um!
• Cassandra Lipps: I was under the impression it was already a state wide law? SO it probably wont do anything, since no one abides by this law anyways.
• Judy Maiga Izzo: I hope it does and if it saves even one life it is worth it. Teens have horrible attention spans anyway and they need to concentrate only on driving - wish they would ban it for everyone. The worst offenders are the older people - I have seen older businessmen texting and driving!
• Jean Wojcik: Texting is not allowed. Kids should concentrate on the driving skills they just learned. Phone calls can always wait til they are stopped.
• Rebecca Grabarkiewicz-Whorley: We as parents set the examples for our children. If they see us doing it then it is OK for them to do it. I love the saying "Children Live What They Learn." When the law goes into effect tomorrow, I hope none of them get tickets cause if they do, they broke the law therefore it should be THEIR responsibility to pay the ticket. Lesson learned.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.