NORWICH – With a new law going into effect this week that puts stricter penalties on teens who are caught texting while driving, many have high hopes that new drivers will make better decisions while behind the wheel.

The new law, which was passed as part of the state’s 2014-2015 budget, is implemented to crack down on youthful and inexperienced drivers who become distracted by their cell phones while driving. Under the law, new and young drivers convicted of texting while driving will have their license suspended for up to 120 days on the first offense, and revoked for a year if convicted of a second or subsequent offense within six months of reissuance of the license.

“I think this an awesome initiative because more and more research is showing the dangers of texting while driving and comparing those dangers to drinking while driving,” said Kelly Collins-Colosi, mentor of the Norwich City School District Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). “This is going to be great for students, especially ones who are still learning how to be responsible while driving.”