Proposed legislation bans talking and driving for inexperienced drivers

LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) - Teen drivers might soon have to drop their phones when they get behind the wheel.

Governor Rick Snyder is poised to sign a bill that would make talking on the phone illegal for drivers with Level 1 or Level 2 licenses. Those drivers are typically less experienced.

The proposal is called “Kelsey’s Law.”

It’s named after Sault Ste. Marie teen, Kelsey Raffaele. She was killed on January 24, 2010 when she crashed her car while talking on the phone.

“The kids were being told, don’t text, don’t text, don’t text,” said her mother, Bonnie. “So I thought they also needed to be told that talking on the phone is dangerous as well.”

Working with lawmakers, Bonnie’s crusade to ban young drivers from talking on the phone is almost a reality. Both the State House and Senate have passed the bill. It now awaits Governor Rick Snyder’s signature.

He has indicated he would approve the measure.

If approved, violators would have to pay a $100 fine. Bonnie Raffaele hopes the proposed law makes teens think before picking up the phone, and perhaps save some lives.