Hartland 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, goes into to 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 Hartland Patch Facebook page were asked about their thoughts of law. Here are some of the responses:

• Dennis Weber: Why just for teens? I should be for EVERYONE
  
• Kelly Denoyer Russell: I'm pretty sure I can set my own rules for my kids while they are driving. I think if any accident occurs you punish the person at fault even if it was an adult distracted by eating a burger! Stop adding to the restrictions because some idiot behaved poorly behind the wheel. Same thing happened when some kid killed several teens while they were all piled in one vehicle so the rest of the teens were restricted.
• Howard R Perkins: Why pick on young kids for doing what they learn from us adults, I believe the law should state anyone doing anything that is distracting from driving should get ticketed. I see so many people driving while reading, eating, putting on makeup, shaving, talking on phone, texting, and looking back at who is in the back seat just to name a few, it is a shame. And guess what I am guilty to, but I am working on changing, a law would help open a lot of our eyes.

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.