Teen Drivers Would Have To Hang Up Cell Phone Under House Bill

LANSING – Teen drivers would have to pull to the side to answer or make a call on their cell phones under legislation approved Thursday by the Michigan House. The bill (HB 5133), passed 78-27, provides a $50 fine for anyone operating under a graduated driver’s license caught talking on a cell phone.

Supporters said the measure was needed to protect inexperienced drivers under 18 from distractions.

“A distracted driver is a dangerous driver, a distracted teenage driver is a more dangerous driver,” said Rep. Ed Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe Farms). “It’s our duty to protect minors and they’re entering into a phase of life that can be very, very dangerous.”

But opponents argued the bill does not go far enough, either in removing distractions from teens or in removing distractions from all drivers.

Rep. Chris Kolb (D-Ann Arbor) argued cell phones should be taken away from all drivers if they are to be taken away from teens. “We should take a comprehensive look what types of behaviors are allowed while driving and what types of behaviors are not allowed,” he said.

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