News, Should states ban teens from talking on their cellphones while driving? (American, school)

[John1960]

Bills, laws target teen drivers' cellphones

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Narin Leininger knows about the risks of talking on a cellphone or sending text messages while driving. The 16-year-old high school junior says he'd only use his phone behind the wheel in an emergency — a flat tire, traffic jam or crash.

But if he ever decided to whip out his phone to chat or text with a friend while steering, he wondered, could anyone stop him?

"There's no way a cop could see if you're texting under the steering wheel," said Leininger, a student at San Francisco's Lowell High School.

Still, California and 15 other states are considering bills banning teens from using electronic equipment while driving, according to the American Automobile Association. Another 13 states and the District of Columbia have passed bans.

Bills, laws target teen drivers' cellphones - USATODAY.com

[ElkHunter]

I firmly believe it should not only be teens. If you don't have a hands free device, get one.

[Kuharai]

They've done the same thing in VA, the law became effective in July. Personally, I think it should not only encompass teens, but the entire population. This is like saying "You can't text while driving until you're 20. Then you can text away!"

As for hands free devices, Mythbusters have proven that even driving while using a bluetooth is no different than driving while holding the phone. It's all about the distraction issue. In fact, bluetooth users are more dangerous than the "hands on" drivers. This is because they have it in their mind that they are perfectly safe because both hands are (supposedly) on the wheel.

My personal opinion is that all cellphone usage should be banned while driving. Hands free or not. I also think that it should not just be a secondary charge as a lot of cellphone users (even blue toothers!) don't stay straight in their space, they don't maintain proper speed, etc, etc. I think it should be a pull-over offense. What a great way for the cities and states to make money.

I mean, if you're on the side of the road with a flat, then yes.. Use a cellphone. But if it's not an emergency (a real one.. not a "omigod, she's with him?!" emergency) you don't need to be yapping on a phone.

[Mooseketeer]

Speaking on a cell phone whilst driving should be banned, period. Teen or adult it distracts you and makes you more likely to have and cause accidents. Does anyone REALLY need to take that phone call. How did we manage to live before the advent of the mobile phone ?!?!...

[kaykay]

I, like everyone else who has posted so far, believe that cell phone use while driving should be banned for all, not just teens. There is a white cross erected on the corner right outside the bank where I work for an eighteen year old who was killed there about 3 months ago. He was 3 days away from high school graduation. But in this case, it was not his issue. A lady talking on her cellphone ran a red light and hit him. (I know that other things cause distraction, but cell phone usage is a real biggie IMHO.)

Of course, in this case I mentioned, the teen was riding a motorcycle which is another risk factor (and a personal "soapbox" issue with me.) But again, police say he did nothing wrong and he was wearing a helmet.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by jgussler

I firmly believe it should not only be teens. If you don't have a hands free device, get one.

Actually studies have shown they don't do too much when it comes to being a better driver. An extra hand means nothing if you aren't paying attention in the first place.

I don't think there should be a ban, but the person with the cellphone being used should automatically have to pay for any accident they are in, and if they kill anyone, should be convicted of negligent homicide.

There are times when you need to use the phone and drive at the same time such as getting turn by turn directions. Blanket bans aren't the wisest thing imo.