Kelsey’s Law in effect Thursday

A new Michigan law that affects young drivers takes effect tomorrow.

Kelsey’s Law bans teenage drivers from using a handheld cell phone while behind the wheel.

Talking will be illegal for Level One and Level Two drivers.

Texting is already illegal for all Michigan drivers.

The Marquette Police say drivers are gradually realizing how hazardous distracted driving is, and it started with the texting ban.

Kelsey’s Law is named after 17-year-old Kelsey Raffaele of Sault Ste. Marie.

She died three years ago in a car accident that she got into while using her cell phone.

Kelsey’s mother, Bonnie Raffaele, was the primary driving force behind Kelsey’s Law.

Bonnie has written a book, “From Despair to Hope”, about the loss of her daughter and the effort to get the law passed.