AAA Michigan salutes Gov. Snyder for new teen driver cell phone law

DEARBORN, MI--Jan. 8, 2013: AAA Michigan saluted Governor Rick Snyder  for signing a new law today (Jan. 8, 2013) which prohibits novice teen drivers from talking on cell phones while driving.

Under Senate Bill 756, which was passed last year by the Michigan Senate and House, teenage drivers with a Level 1 or 2 license will have to comply with cell phone restrictions.  The only exemptions will be allowing new teen drivers to report a crash, emergency or crime.  Numerous studies have shown that new teen drivers are far more likely to be involved in cell phone-related crashes than older, more experienced drivers.

The new law allows police to issue a civil infraction to teens who are in violation of the new law.  AAA Michigan strongly encouraged the passage of the law, referred to as "Kelsey's Law," named for Kelsey Raffaele, a 17-year-old Michigan resident who was killed while talking on her cell phone and driving.

To help new teen drivers -- and their parents -- AAA offers a web site, Teen Driving.  This comprehensive resource provides extensive state-specific information and useful tools to help teens improve their driving skills.  New drivers will find interactive exercises, quizzes and games as well of videos of experts and teens talking about safety.  The site includes a downloadable parent-teen driving agreement.