California Bans In-Car Teenage Cell Phone Use

We’ll forgo the requisite text messaging and teens jokes and just let you know that if you’re 16 or 17 in California, you won’t be talking, texting or doing anything else while driving, even with a hands-free device, come July 1, 2008. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a ban on the use of mobile devices by teenagers. Penalties aren’t too severe however; the first offense will cost the teen driver just $20 and a second $50. Drivers 18 and older will still be able to use cell phones equipped with a hands-free device.

California joins 15 other states and Washington, D.C., in banning teens from communicating while commuting.

Cell Phone Use Banned for Teen Drivers (Yahoo News)

Comments

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

I think this should apply to all drivers except for emergency responders, law enforcement and public officials.

Communicating via phone, laptop or even CB while driving is a task limiter. It limits the number one task at hand... driving.

Yes, i agree with tony.

Agreed; teen drivers are horrible as it is, but others can be worse on their cellphone. At least TEENS have younger, let's hope better, eyes. Nonetheless, it'll be hard to peel away from that cellphone--I know I barely can.

[J]

When in the world my great lovely state of Michigan do ANYTHING close to this...? It is just so frustrated and irritating to constantly have somebody closing in from the side just because s/he is on the G.D. phone.

[Rodney]

I'm amused that someone suggested that public officials should retain that right. You were joking right?

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

Rodney, normally public officials have a chauffer so, guess they'd be safe to use a cell phone while in the car... At least I hope so.. :) LOL!!!

[Infosaur]

Troy: You'd think so? Well google John Corzine, the N.J. state governor, his police driver rolled his SUV 3 times while doing a buck-ten on the Garden State Parkway.

Broke his leg, and a few ribs. Was air lifted out, and was laid up for 4 months.

The Emergency? He had to get his face on the evening news: he was rushing to a press conference.

(At least he didn't kill any children, that looks bad in polls)