Teen Drivers Banned From Using Cell Phones
Starting today, it is illegal in Colorado for a teenager to use a cell phone while driving.
New drivers caught using their cell phone behind the wheel will be fined $15 plus a surcharge of $2.60 and will lose one point on their license.....The law affects teens with restricted licenses -- new drivers who have to have an adult drive with them for a year. They must first be pulled over for another infraction before they can be cited for using their phone while driving.
The rationale behind the law seems to be that teens get in a greater number of accidents than adults. But, I haven't seen any statistics to show that teen drivers using cell phones get in more accidents than teen drivers who don't use them.
Getting a first driver's license is a big event for a teen. Nowadays, most teens have cell phones. They are addicted to them not only for telephone calls but for text messaging. These teens are at an age where they are running smack into adulthood. What kind of message does it send them to restrict them from one of their two greatest pleasures, driving and talking on the phone, right at the juncture of adulthood when adults don't face the same restrictions? This age is one in which we should be encouraging our kids to become adults by wisely using the new freedoms available to them. How confusing it must be for them to be told on the one hand, you're now an adult for driving a car, but not enough of an adult to be allowed to drive and use a cell phone. That will be interpreted by teens as a sign adults don't trust them. It send exactly the wrong message. These kids take driver training. Why not just add a class on the proper use of cell phones while driving? Why not just ban using a cellphone unless it has a handset and speakerphone? That would be more rational than an all-out ban. But the bottom line is that until the right of a teen to use a cell phone while driving is made the same for adults, this law discriminates based on age. How many accidents have been caused by teens using cell phones vs. adults using cell phones? By teens using cell phones vs. teens not using cell phones? If there isn't a greater percentage of accidents by the teen groups, then the law is unnecessary. Personally, I would be more worried about my 80-year-old mother driving while talking on a cell phone than I would my son at 18. Kids are adept at multi-tasking. The elderly don't seem quite as proficient at it.
Comments
Submitted by Josh (not verified) on Fri, 2008-10-10 11:01.
First off, a restricted license doesn't mean you have to drive with an adult for a year, it means you cannot drive with passengers who aren't adults for a year, or drive past curfew. Also, no one seems to realize cell phones are dangerous while driving in anyone's hands, not just teens. Very flawed article.
Submitted by Dilelia (not verified) on Tue, 2007-11-13 12:10.
This is something that will save many lives...
Submitted by Rae (not verified) on Mon, 2007-03-26 11:56.
No one should use a cellphone while driving. Too much can happen in a split second and all anyone could say about it is "Well, I was on my phone......."
Submitted by worm (not verified) on Tue, 2007-03-20 10:26.
ASSHOLES
Submitted by worm (not verified) on Tue, 2007-03-20 10:25.
DIE
Submitted by Ethan (not verified) on Tue, 2007-03-20 10:16.
dumb teens
Submitted by big (not verified) on Mon, 2006-12-11 11:07.
that bad
Submitted by Jasmine White (not verified) on Wed, 2006-11-15 10:35.
I that no one should be able to use a cell phone while driving!It causes to many wrecks! I quess the phone is just dying to be answered!
Submitted by austin p (not verified) on Mon, 2006-10-02 05:28.
that sux cock
Submitted by Taylor Vinesett , Burns High School (not verified) on Fri, 2006-09-22 11:42.
My beliefs on the new cell phone law is the fact the it is outrageously unfair for teens. I believe that it should be banned for every person of all ages. For example as myself a teen there are elders that are much worse than I as a driver. I would hate to see them even try to use a cell phone while driving. The congress should have banned it from driving for everyone cause there still is a good percent on adults as well as teens who have accidents while useing a mobile device.
Submitted by beth mull,burns high school (not verified) on Fri, 2006-09-22 11:37.
I believ that if teens have to be banned from using their cell phones then adults should be too. They cause just as many wrecks as we do because they don't pay attention either actually I think they are worse at causing wrecks then we are.
Submitted by Angie (not verified) on Mon, 2006-05-15 18:25.
Teenagers shouldn't be able to use their cellphones while driving and adults shouldnt be able to either an adult is just as likely to cause an accident while on their cell phone as a teen is.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2006-03-03 11:53.
I think it should be banned because my aunt got hit by atruck and to our suprise the driver was using a phone.I will have my regrets but I beleive it should be banned on my behalf!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2006-01-14 11:17.
cell phones should not be banned
Submitted by Jake (not verified) on Fri, 2005-11-04 15:03.
I think it stinks!!
Submitted by Julian, 17 (not verified) on Mon, 2005-08-08 11:41.
As a teen, I feel highly relieved that the cell phone ban is now in effect. Most teens (and adults, for that matter) struggle to cope with the rigors of driving.
It doesn't take much to demonstrate how car control is drastically altered by simply removing a hand from the wheel. Two years ago I participated in a BMW-sponsored car control clinic for teens, called "Street Survival." The idea was to show new drivers how cars behave when on the verge of control, and how to handle them in emergency situations. At the end of the day, an instructor tossed me a bottle of water. He had me hold the bottle to my ear like a cell phone, and then had me drive a slalom they had set up. I knocked over several cones, as did other students in the same excercise. Even expert autocrossers, known for their car-handling skills, stuggled with the task. The lesson was simple: by simply occupying one hand, you lose half of your ability to cope with quickly altering situations. Combine a non-discriminating hindrance (like a cell phone) with inexperience and likely lapses in focus, one gets a car wreck.
Personally, I'd feel safer if no one had the ability to talk on a phone and drive simultaneously, unless they used a headset. I don't think people are cognisant of the fact that cars are effectively two-ton missiles. We could do with some arms control around here.
Submitted by Charith Samarasena (not verified) on Tue, 2005-10-11 23:48.
This is a joke. Everyone should be banned from using cell phones while driving. Not just teens. This is pure discrimination. Teens should be far familier with technology than many adults. If they do it with teens, they must follow same rules with adults.
