Governator approves ban on teens using phones while driving
By Danny Mendez
Governor Schwarzenegger of California recently signed a bill banning anyone of the ages 16 or 17 from using a mobile phone, pager, laptop, or handheld computer while driving.
Schwarzenegger made the following statement addressing the ban, which only takes effect in California:
"The simple fact is that teenage drivers are more easily distracted. They are young, inexperienced and have a slower reaction time. We want to eliminate any extra distractions so they can focus on paying attention to the road and being good drivers."
According to a press release, the law takes effect July 1, 2008, which also marks the day that makes it illegal to use a cell phone while driving for anyone not using a hands free device.
Those who break the ban on teen cell phone use while driving can look to being fined $20 for the first offense and $50 for every recurring incident.
According to the California Highway Patrol, cell phone use is the leading cause of distracted driver accidents in the state, and just car crashes alone are the leading cause of death among 16 to 20 year olds. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 have a fatality rate that’s four times the rate of drivers 25-69.
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September 17th, 2007
As someone who works in the frontline of emergency medicine, I cannot understand why the Californian law is limited only to teenagers.
ANYONE who is operating a mobile phone, even the hands-free type, while driving, is distracted to a degree. If you don’t believe me, even the most cursory of Google searches on road safety will confirm what I am saying.
And don’t feel too smug if you are older with many years of driving under your belt. Often that means you have some bad habits and complacency that could see you come to grief when you least expect.
September 19th, 2007
completely agree with “a non e mous” the bill banning the use these electronic devices should apply to “all drivers”, as a driver and passenger I experienced myself the distractions that these devices can cause on people not matter how old you are.
September 21st, 2007
I agree. it does not matter what age you are, the cell phones will always be a distraction.
I do believe there are more important things to be focusing than attempting to ban cell phones while driving.
90% of the people will not bother with this law.
Do the police have nothing better to do than to hassle someone with a ticket for using a phone?
I believe this is just to shut up the ones who complain cell phones are are destroying our roads.