Teens ignore bans on cellphones in cars
Categories: Teens & tweens, Health & safety, In the news, Gadgets & tech
Surprise, surprise, teens aren't paying any attention to laws barring them from using cellphones while driving. According to a survey released Monday, in fact, cellphone usage actually went up slightly after North Carolina enacted such a law in 2006. In the months leading up to the ban, researchers observed eleven percent of teen drivers using their cellphones as they left school. Five months later, the number was almost twelve percent."Cellphone bans for teen drivers are difficult to enforce," says Anne McCartt, senior vice president for research with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety who conducted the survey. "Drivers with phones to their ears aren't hard to spot, but it's nearly impossible for police officers to see hands-free devices or correctly guess how old drivers are."
There needs to be a better way to enforce these bans or else they really don't do much good. I'm not sure what the answer is. We've got a similar law taking effect next month and I suspect kids will ignore it and keep on talking and texting while they drive.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Carolyn 6-11-2008 @ 6:52PM
Why is the ban for teens only? It's dangerous for anybody to talk on a cell while driving - or worse yet, to text/email while driving. So many times when I get cut-off or nearly sideswiped I look over to see the person talking away on their phone and totally oblivious to the three-car pile-up that almost happened. And it's not usually a teenager behind the wheel!
Carolyn
http://www.momsontheedge.ca
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Jenn 6-11-2008 @ 10:53PM
Agree with Carolyn. No reason these laws should target teens only. I would have no problem whatsoever with a ban on all cell phone use by everybody while they are behind the wheel of a car.
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Laura - DashinFashion.com 6-12-2008 @ 8:08AM
I agree with Jenn and Carolyn.
Why ban only teens? I many countries cell phone use behind the wheel is against the law and there is a heavy fine.
Plus, there are so many new technologies out there where you can talk hand free.
Why would anyone even attempt to text/email while driving....I can barely figure out how to find the right letters!
Laura
http://www.dashinfashion.com
Reply