LANSING – Young motorists who are still learning to drive will no longer be allowed to make phone calls while driving except in emergency situations under a bill signed Tuesday by Governor Rick Snyder.
At an emotional signing ceremony, Snyder signed SB 756 (PA 592, effective March 28), known as Kelsey’s Law in honor of Kelsey Raffaele, a 17-year-old Sault Ste. Marie resident who died in an automobile crash while using her mobile phone.
“This is a very important law,” Snyder said at a ceremony with Kelsey’s family on hand. “This is one that strikes our hearts.”
Those with level one and level two graduated licenses, generally those under 17, would fall under the prohibition.
Kelsey’s mother, Bonnie, was the “driving force” in getting the bill through the Legislature, said Sen. Howard Walker (R-Traverse City), the bill sponsor.
Raffaele said thousands of people helped. She thanked all those involved “from the bottom of my heart.”
And she said her daughter would be thrilled. “I know that Kelsey is up in heaven just clapping and screaming for joy,” she said.
Some House Republicans resisted the bill. One reporter, pointing this out to Snyder, asked if agreed with the concern that the bill is legislating common sense.
“No. Because it’s common sense,” Snyder quickly retorted.
Asked whether the ban on the use of mobile phones for all drivers, Snyder said he would like to look at data on the issue.
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