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2025 Kelsey's Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship

Stop Distracted Driving Contest

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Kelsey Raffaele, 17, of Sault Ste. Marie, tragically died in a cell phone-related automobile crash in 2010. The Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship has been created in her honor to inspire change in teens who drive distracted and help prevent car accidents.
Some startling facts from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and Michigan Traffic Crash Facts:
  • Car accidents are the No. 1 killer of drivers between the ages of 15-20. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
  • Texting while driving increases your risk of crashing by 23 times. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute)
  • Dialing a hand-held cell phone while driving increase your crash risk by 12 times. (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute)
  • 3,206 or approximately 21% of the distracted drivers in crashes in Michigan in 2022 were between the ages of 15 and 20 years of age, down approximately 15% from 3,768 in 2021. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
  • There were 12 fatal motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 years of age in Michigan in both 2022 and 2021. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
  • There were 847 injury motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 in Michigan in 2022, down 17% from 1,026 in 2021. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
  • 441 or 18.5% of the drivers using a cell phone at the time of a crash in Michigan in 2022 were 20 years of age or younger, down approximately 17.5% from 535 in 2021. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
  • Of the 4,856 teen drivers (aged 15 to 20) who were involved in fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2022, 296 or 6% of them were distracted at the time of the crashes. (NHTSA)

The statistics above reflect the most current and up-to-date data that is publicly available.

What is Kelsey’s Law?

Through the support of Bonnie Raffaele, Kelsey’s mother, “Kelsey’s Law” was passed and became law in Michigan in 2013. Kelsey’s Law, MCL 257.602c, prohibits teen drivers with a Level 1 or Level 2 graduated license from using or talking on a cell phone while they are driving. Specifically, teen drivers cannot initiate a call, answer a call, or listen to or engage in verbal communications through a cell phone while they’re behind the wheel. It does not matter if they are using a hand-held phone or a hands-free phone: All cellphone use by teen drivers is prohibited. Those who violate Kelsey’s Law may be ticketed for a civil infraction by a law enforcement officer.

Who is Bonnie Raffaele?

Bonnie Raffaele is Kelsey’s Raffaele’s mother. Out of her sadness and grief over the loss of her daughter and her wish that no other teenager or family should have to experience such a tragedy, she played an integral role in helping Kelsey’s Law become the law of the state, testifying before both the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives and by holding a pivotal and influential press conference on the steps of the State Capitol.
Bonnie’s advocacy for teen driver safety and against the dangers of distracted driving did not stop there. She has become a world-renowned advocate for preventing distracted driving crashes. She launched the KDR Challenge, which stands for Kids Driving Responsibly, whose “mission is to increase awareness among the youth on the dangers of distracted driving, especially using a cell phone while driving.” (KDR are also her daughter’s initials, Kelsey Dawn Raffaele) She leads the Michigan Teen Safe Driving Coalition and she serves on the Board of Delegates of the National Safety Council. Bonnie also partners with the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, and the Michigan Secretary of State. For her outspoken advocacy against distracted driving, Bonnie has been recognized as a State of Michigan Volunteer of the Year. Bonnie Raffaele has been a steadfast supporter and invaluable partner of Michigan Auto Law’s through the Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship, providing guidance and helping select each year’s winners.

Distractions

Using a cell phone and/or texting

Eating and drinking

Reading, including maps

Changing the radio station

Using a PDA or navigation system

Watching a video

2025 Kelsey's Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship Overview

Michigan Auto Law is proud to announce that we will be partnering with The Kiefer Foundation for this year’s annual Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship. Through the generosity of The Kiefer Foundation, we will be able to double the total scholarship offering from $5,000 to $10,000 and we will be able to award 8 winners instead of 4. The Kiefer Foundation was started in 2016 in honor of Mitchel Kiefer, a Michigan State University freshman who tragically lost his life when he was struck by a distracted driver. Michigan Auto Law and The Kiefer Foundation hope to inspire change and raise awareness, by encouraging Michigan high school juniors and seniors to submit a compelling message that convinces young drivers to reduce distractions while driving and persuades all drivers, especially teen drivers, to stop texting while driving. 

Messages may be in the form of a video, graphic or TikTok that resonates with teens and influences their driving behavior. Entries will be judged and critiqued on the following factors:

  • Ability to persuade others, especially teen drivers, to stop texting while driving.
  • Ability to grab the attention of other teen drivers, peers, and drivers of all ages.
  • A clear and understandable message.
  • Demonstration of the applicant’s personal creativity and ingenuity. 
  • We’re looking for your unique perspective. Video submissions must use original footage you’ve created, not stock footage.

Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship winners will be notified by March 31, 2025, and winners will be announced sometime during April 2025 to coincide with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Scroll down to complete your application in our online form.

Types of Admissions Permitted

YouTube Video

30 Seconds max

TikTok Video

15 Seconds max

Graphic

PNG files only

Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Scholarship Award Amounts

  • Overall Best Submission: $2,000 (2 winners)
  • Best Video Submission: $1,500 (2 winners)
  • Best Graphic Submission: $1,000 (2 winners)
  • Best TikTok Submission: $500 (2 winners)

*Limit one type of submission per student.

Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship awards will be applied toward tuition at any university, college or technical school in the U.S. for higher education. Funds will be sent directly to the school within one year of the scholarship deadline.

Who may apply:

  • Open to 11th and 12th grade students (Class of 2025 and 2026) attending any public or private Michigan high school (finalists will be required to provide proof of enrollment with a student I.D. or transcript).
  • Applicant must be a Michigan resident with a valid Michigan driver’s license.
  • If under the age of 18 by April 15, 2025, a parental consent form must be signed by a parent or guardian if you are selected as a finalist.

Deadline to apply online: March 1, 2025.

Kelsey’s Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship winners will be announced in April, 2025 to coincide with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

All applicants are required to read, understand and agree to the Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use with a check marked box within the submission form. For details review each document here:

Complete the online form below including all required fields.  Once you submit your information an automatic receipt message will be sent to your email address.

Kelsey\'s Law Scholarship