Teens Now Can't Use a Cell Phone While Driving: Will the Law Work?

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 last week, according to the Detroit News.

The law passed 74-33 in the House of Representatives and 28-10 in the Senate. Birmingham's former representative in the State House, Chuck Moss, voted for the bill in mid-December. Meanwhile, Birmingham's State Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Troy) also voted for the bill when it passed the Senate in March.

Because violation of the law is a civil infraction, it is now up to local municipalities to determine the fine.

The legislation adds to state driving laws that prohibit texting while driving.

In Birmingham, there were only three violations for distracted driving issued in 2011, Birmingham Police Cmdr. Terry Kiernan said. According to Kiernan, when someone is text messaging and driving, they're usually violating some other traffic law — such as running a red light — for which police officers are more likely to write a ticket.

In Michigan last year, drivers were reported to be distracted in 3,986 crashes, and using cell phones in 821 crashes.

Do you think teens will follow the new law? Will it help cut down on accidents?