Hot on HuffPost Parents:
WATCH: Wendy Williams Reveals Special Co-Host
8 California School Workers On Leave During Student Abuse Probe
Teens ignore bans on cellphones in cars
Filed under: Teens, Health & Safety: Babies, In The News, Gadgets
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.
YourVoice
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- Who lives at 1282 sharar Avenue, Opa Locka, FL?
- How many consumable plants are there? How many consumable animals? HOW MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGE'S PER PLANT & ANIMAL
- How can I help my 20 yr old son deal with being an unexpected father. He never wanted kids. I have known that for years. But accidents happen. Condoms...
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Dealing with Teen Pregnancy in Atlanta - the Doula Story
This video profiles Perez Ridley, a Doula in Atlanta, GA, who counsels pregnant teens on behalf of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention.
-
Safety of Teen Overweight Surgery
About 70 percent of obese teens grow up to be obese adults. Many are turning to surgery, but is it safe?
-
Debbie Gibson and Tiffany on Teen Pop Stars
Debbie Gibson and Tiffany talk to PopEater about teen pop stars and what advice they have for them
-
2010 Kia Soul - Kiplinger's Best Car for Teens
Kiplinger's Personal Finance editors reveal their pick for the best car for teen drivers. Plus, a checklist of what to look for in a car for your teen.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
6-11-2008 @ 6:52PM
Carolyn said...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
Reply
6-11-2008 @ 10:53PM
Jenn said...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.
Reply
6-12-2008 @ 8:08AM
Laura - DashinFashion.com said...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