Michigan Driver Banned From Cell Phone Ownership After Fatal Crash

A punitive damage of sorts. According to the Detroit Free Press earlier yesterday (June 4. 2015) a Michigan Judge banned this Detroit driver from ever owning a cell phone after she pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges in connection with a fatal accident that she was a part of in September of last year. Jill Byelich, Grant Advisor for the Michigan State police, wife of two children and husband to Jordan Byelich, was riding her bicycle with all the protective and precautionary gear on the shoulder of a road when she was struck by Mitzi Nelson, who was at the time distracted texting on her cell phone.

The judge upon sentencing, handed her a most unique set of punishments that aimed to reform Ms.Nelson as well as set a sort of precedent for other drivers in the nation. Not only does Nelson have to pay more than $15,000 in restitution and $1,500 in fines, she must serve up to 90 days in jail ( at least 60 days in jail) as well as 150 hours of community service and appear in front of 20 driver’s ed classes about the dangers of distracted driving. Oh, and she’s been banned from using or even owning a cell phone.

More from Art of Gears

Many people forget the first rule of drivers ed in Highschool. Driving is not a right but rather a privilege (yup, it’s not in the constitution.) The ability to traverse city roads and our nation’s highways at great speeds is a privilege afforded to us by this great nation and is a privilege cared for only by our vigilance behind the wheel (sounds like an Army PSA doesn’t it?) To take it any less lightly is to abuse our gift to do so. Sure, you might drive with one hand with the radio on, but you’d better be paying full attention to what’s in front of you while you’re doing it (but seriously, you should probably have two hands on the wheel and lower the volume a bit.)

Feature Photo Credit: US Dept. of Transportation.

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