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Laws target teens texting and driving
Filed under: Teens, Health & Safety: Babies, Gadgets, That's Entertainment
In my experience, talking on a cell-phone while driving is dangerous. I used to do it and many times found myself at my destination having no recollection of actually driving there because I was yakking on my phone the whole time. Maybe it is just me, but that proves that talking on a phone a driving don't mix. What's worse than driving and talking? Driving and texting.
While there is scant scientific evidence of the hazards of texting and driving, common sense says it is dangerous. And since it is inexperienced teen drivers who are most likely to be doing this, some states are considering laws that would ban them from using electronic devices while operating a vehicle.
California already bans drivers of all ages from holding a cell-phone while driving, but is considering legislation that would specifically ban 16 and 17-year-olds from using cell phones, text messaging devices, laptop computers, pagers, walkie-talkies and hand-held computers while driving - even those with hands-free devices.
This makes a lot of sense to me, but of course, there are some who disagree. Opponents of this type of legislation say that teen-specific laws such as this are an example of government's meddling in private behavior and that teaching proper driving skills is a parent's job, not the state's. California Senator Tom McClintock opposes it for that reason and more - he says parents need to be able to reach their children at any time, even when their kids are driving.
Personally, I would rather wait a few minutes while my child pulled over to return my call than to have her talk to me while she's driving. Plus, telling your child not to do something has a whole lot more weight behind it when it is also against the law.
While there is scant scientific evidence of the hazards of texting and driving, common sense says it is dangerous. And since it is inexperienced teen drivers who are most likely to be doing this, some states are considering laws that would ban them from using electronic devices while operating a vehicle.
California already bans drivers of all ages from holding a cell-phone while driving, but is considering legislation that would specifically ban 16 and 17-year-olds from using cell phones, text messaging devices, laptop computers, pagers, walkie-talkies and hand-held computers while driving - even those with hands-free devices.
This makes a lot of sense to me, but of course, there are some who disagree. Opponents of this type of legislation say that teen-specific laws such as this are an example of government's meddling in private behavior and that teaching proper driving skills is a parent's job, not the state's. California Senator Tom McClintock opposes it for that reason and more - he says parents need to be able to reach their children at any time, even when their kids are driving.
Personally, I would rather wait a few minutes while my child pulled over to return my call than to have her talk to me while she's driving. Plus, telling your child not to do something has a whole lot more weight behind it when it is also against the law.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
9-13-2007 @ 5:16PM
LS said...For once in my life, I am saying publicly that this is a law that I can get behind. (Anyone who has read what I've written here knows that I think there are too many laws already)
But I don't think it should be limited to teens. I have seen more adults tapping away at computers, blackberries, cellphones, whatever. And before someone says "those adults NEEEEEED those things for their jobs!!" (whining absolutely implied) I will say to you that as recently as five years ago, wireless communication with anything other than a phone was practically nonexistant. So saying that you neeeeeed to text or e-mail or whatever while you're driving is false, ignorant and stupid.
I don't want to attend the funeral of anyone I know and love because you couldn't wait five minutes to pull over and answer that message. Make it illegal for EVERYONE.
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9-13-2007 @ 9:24PM
Ann Adams said...Ls, I think the proposed law is much too specific.
Of course it should cover adults as well as kids but when they enumerate the offenses, there will always be someone who can say "but I wasn't doing that, I was putting on makeup/polishing my nails/ reading the newspaper (or was that included), etc. and I didn't see that semi I plowed into.
I'm pretty sure CA has some kind of law on the books that's a catchall for creating a hazard. If not, they should.
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