Bill Would Require Many Teens To Hang Up While Driving

[Kadie]

Bill Would Require Many Teens To Hang Up While Driving
Violators Would Be Fined $100 For First Offense

POSTED: 4:43 pm PDT April 20, 2004
UPDATED: 5:11 pm PDT April 20, 2004

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The issue of driving while talking on a cell phone has been a cause for controversy

over the last few years because of safety concerns. Now, some lawmakers think it's time to do something

about it, especially if the drivers are teenagers.


One lawmaker has introduced a measure that is working its way through the Capitol that would require many

teens to hang up and drive. The bill would be an instant conversation stopper for 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds who

are new behind the wheel but old hands at gabbing away on a cell phone.

"If it's just going to be for teenagers, it should be for everybody because I see a lot of adults that aren't as

responsible as teenagers. I've seen older people get into more crashes that teenagers do," said teenager

Sasha Wenzl.

more... http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/3024634/detail.html


This doesn't seem fair to me. If you are going to make a law, make it for everyone.

[SemperEadem]

1. what about the ditzy adults who don't pay attention when they're

driving and talking on their cell phones? They are just as, if not more, dangerous than a teenager.

The law should apply to all drivers. Driving is a privaledge, not a right. Pull over and talk on the phone IF you must. Because if someone slams into me while talking on a cell phone, they're going to wish they'd never heard of cell phones.

[ForrestGump]

2. Agreed

Make it apply to everyone. And hurry it up -- it's just getting more and more dangerous out there. Oh, and actually enforce it. It's always seemed to me that LEOs should concentrate their efforts on monitoring intersections, rather than on busting speeders, if they really want to prevent accidents and get idiots off the road.

If someone knocks me off my bike because they were jabbering away on a cell phone I won't be the only one going to the hospital, even if I have to flail away at them like John Cleese's Black Knight. And these cell phones now are so small that they could be inserted in an uncomfortable configuation with minimal effort. I'm going to start carrying a small jar of Vaseline when I ride, just in case.

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. If they're going to do that, putting on makeup should be included

I'm sure that's the cause of many an accident as well.

http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[Kadie]

4. and how about fumbling with the cd player.

[democracyindanger]

5. It's a good start

If it passes, in the long term the use of phones while driving may slip as the teens become adults. I'm all for banning it for everyone, but there are far too many adults so protective over their g-damn cell phones that it'd never happen.

Unless you're a doctor doing surgery over the phone, there's no reason to drive while on a cell. I've nearly been a victim plenty of times because of idiots on their phones.

[Snow]

6. My daughter's (age 19) working on her EMT-1 license

and was doing on ambulance ride-along last week. There was a crash on the 605 & their rig (one of those American Medical Response van ambulances) arrived first on scene. Usually the fire dept gets there first & uses a big truck to block off a coupla lanes, then the EMT's can work behind that wall of truck.

Anyway, they were first. And there were the two cars, mostly but not completely on the shoulder. She, being the good kid that she is, didn't remain in the rig - although being a trainee she could have - but got out & helped - no harm to anyone, but the experience of working to help people while traffic flies by at 70-80 mph shook her - especially, she said, watching the big pickups & sport utes with drivers on cell phones, oblivious to the ambulance.

[Kadie]

7. I have to say I am guilty of using a cell phone while driving

occasionally. I try to pay extra special attention when I do, but I know it is something I shouldn't be doing. I have seen those people who are so much into a conversation that they don't appear to be watching the road at all.

I wonder if as a society, we drive so much that it is becoming second nature to us. Even if they outlaw the cell phones there will be something else that we will find to entertain ourselves while driving.

I hope they do pass the law, but for everyone not just teens.

[jcldragon]

8. My stand-up comedy routine is all about SUVs

But right now I just want to say that if they required that people actually know how to drive a car, before issuing a license, that we could eliminate 50% of the traffic...