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California Bans Cell Phone Use For Teen Drivers
If you're a teen in California don't even think about touching that cell phone while driving anymore. On Thursday California became the 15th state (along with Washington D.C.) to ban cell phone use for teen drivers. Older drivers will still be allowed to use hands-free calling devices, but those text-crazy teenagers will have to make do without their trusty mobiles.
The Governator was quoted as saying, "We want to eliminate any extra distractions so they can focus on paying attention to the road and being good drivers." According to the California Highway Patrol, cell phone use is now the primary cause of accidents, and Ford Motors produced its own study which showed that teens are four times more likely to be distracted by their cells than adults. One only needs to look at recent headlines for proof. This past July, a 19-year-old British girl was imprisoned after killing another woman in a car accident -- the girl had been texting at the time of the crash. Just a few weeks prior to that, five girls in Upstate New York were killed in a horrific wreck in which text-messaging was to blame. More recently, a Cincinnati teenager was struck by a train and severely injured after walking on train tracks while texting.
Under the new California law, first time offenders will be fined $20 and subsequent infringements will be $50, with exceptions for emergency calls.
From USA Today
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Comments
34
Subscribe to commentsRosieDec 2nd 2007 1:20PM
to Jim Brai,
I undertsand the survival of civilization hinges on you being on the phone while driving, but just stop for a minute and think about the safety of others. I know...what a radical concept!
Tomorrow, God forbid, it may be a member of your family being injured or killed in on of these stupid and preventable accidents. Grow up.
jeanineDec 4th 2007 5:03AM
no one should use there cell phone while driving . Not even adults.
MissyDec 4th 2007 8:49PM
HEY>>>Jim Brai ...what an idiot...! no you're no better than anyone, and I support what they are doing...but I think the fine shoul;d be much higher than $20-$50...,,you can just pull over and text ot talk...! save a life...! Dude.....
EttaDec 5th 2007 10:49PM
I totally agree. ALL CELL PHONE USES SHOULD BE BANNED BY ALL VEHICLES WHILE TRAVELING . STOP, PULL OVER, IF YOU NEED TO TALK. OTHER WISE , LET IT RING !
JKDec 13th 2007 8:04PM
There is no kid on this planet who needs a cell phone. They look foolish and stupid walking around with them stuck to their heads doing nothing but babbeling and gossiping. Who gives a darn about what fingernail polish your going to paint your nails. The phones were mainly be for emerg purposes in most homes. I'll never get my kid a cell phone. In Framce, it is illegal to drive and talk on the cell phone. If your phone rings, you have to pull over, otherwise one of the hundreds of how many cameras watching you will catch you.
StacyDec 14th 2007 6:56AM
It's all well & good to ban cell phones while driving but it doesn't do any good because the cops don't enforce it!!!!!!!
JustmeDec 19th 2007 3:35PM
I think we should ban the radio, cd player oh and dvd player in your car also. They are all a distraction!! While we are at it, don't talk to the passenger's in the car either unless it is an emergency.
Mamba JahambaDec 20th 2007 2:35PM
Jim Brai.. your post is full of IGNORANT ranting and sounds more like a childs tantrum that an adult mind frame! Grow up! You can have an opinion just communicate it like an adult does... Waaah I' wanna talk on the "move" waaaah if the cops can so can I.... waaaahhhh I don;t care if I put other people in danger while I "talk on the move" Because I can talk to people in my car and listen to the radio and drive... I am smarter than everyone... I can pee and pick my nose at the same time........ Someone help me change my diaper cause I have a right to wear one.. I like to poop on the move too....
IDIOT BABBLING BUFOON!
Mamba JahambaDec 20th 2007 2:35PM
mike hylton.. there are drugs you can get for your paranoia!
Mamba JahambaDec 20th 2007 2:35PM
CLARATITLER - I am verry sorry for the Loss of your grandson!
teri nucaroDec 28th 2007 11:31AM
What a bunch of crock this is about the right to use cell phones while driving! What did these people do before cell phones were invented? To me it's just an ego thing with these people. I have been a witness to many accidents and near accidents caused by cell phone use while driving. What the hell is so important that you can't pull over and talk? The fines - $20-$50 is a drop in the bucket today with people. Make the fines, $1000 for 1st offense - $2000 the next and the 3rd time jail time. Maybe then the message will get across that there should be no cell phone use while operating a vehicle. I have a cell phone that gets little use - bought it in case of a car malfunction when I need to call for service, otherwise, mute, mute, mute.
dale loopDec 29th 2007 11:17AM
i would like to chalange all states to ban cell phone use for everyone that is behind the wheel of any vehicle on the road.i have a cell phone and i pull over to use my cell or i let it take the call for me.then when i get stopped i listen to the message. i don`t care how important you think that call is ,it`s not worth your life nor someone else`s. lets turn in all those cell phone drivers we see using it while driveing and let the fine be $1,000.00 each time they get caught.
mrbehavan2
mfgapenDec 29th 2007 5:09PM
No talking on phones while driving period.
How stupid are people? This should be a
$500 fine! People can't drive without
the friggin phones.
Eleanor PetersDec 31st 2007 3:36AM
I think every one should be banned from cell phones while driving.. They are dangerous and there is nothing that important that cannot wait untill you are safely stopped to talk. I do not use one and never will. I was with my niece when she used one and she was all over the road and blaming every one else. It is not just teens. Some adults are worse. Where is this world going any ways?? Speed is the thing that kills us and others. This modern life is going to do us all in with it,s pollution and fast driving and who cares attitude. Say I am wrong and I will call you a liar.