this was in the Montgomery Advertiser today. Was interested to know what everyones opinion is about this.
Young drivers may be banned from phones
By Jamie Kizzire
Montgomery Advertiser
A bill that would make it illegal for young drivers to chat on mobile phones is headed to the Alabama House for consideration.
The bill, approved by the House Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, would ban those 17 and younger from using a "wireless communication device" while driving. If caught the driver would face a $150 fine and three points against their license.
Rep. Jim McClendon said the bill is aimed at reducing traffic deaths among teens.
"There's no doubt this bill will save lives," said McClendon, who's sponsoring the bill.
McClendon, R-Springville, is the governor's representative on the State Safety Coordinating Committee, which supports the bill.
The bill also would ban "hands-free" devices because they can be distracting.
"Research shows it's not where your hands are. It's where your mind is," McClendon said.
Committee members questioned McClendon about the constitutionality of targeting the law to a specific age group.
He said other laws, such as the state's graduated driver's license law, targets specific groups.
A law banning mobile phone use was one of the most suggested by Montgomery Advertiser readers when they were asked what legislation they would like to be passed.
It ain't just the young drivers. I've seen plenty of older ones too. But, if you're gonna hit cell phones, you need to hit eating and reading the paper and other things, too. There's just so many things that people allow to take them away from driving safely. Then, there are some people who can do those things and drive safely. So, I don't think there's one single answer to the problem. Maybe it would be a decent start, but you've got to keep going.
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I think it's alright, but N8RPX is right -- it's not just young drivers.
Those first two years of driving are very important--you're learning how to drive and react in different situations. The fewer distractions at this point in your lifetime of driving the better.
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yeah that is what I was thinking too. I pass lots of people on the way to work in the morning talking on their cell phone. The problem is not just with the teenagers it is with everyone.
I also agree they should not single out the younger drivers. However, their lack-of-experience behind the wheel is what prompted the bill in the first place.
Even though they look really cheesy, I have considered the idea of buying the wife & myself a Bluetooth headset to use while we drive. Personally I don't talk that much on my cell phone, but the wife's job requires her to travel a LOT in the car, so she's usually in-the-road several hours a day. I thought the headset might help her be a little safer.
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I also agree they should not single out the younger drivers. However, their lack-of-experience behind the wheel is what prompted the bill in the first place.
Even though they look really cheesy, I have considered the idea of buying the wife & myself a Bluetooth headset to use while we drive. Personally I don't talk that much on my cell phone, but the wife's job requires her to travel a LOT in the car, so she's usually in-the-road several hours a day. I thought the headset might help her be a little safer.
Those help, but I think most of the accidents with cell phones happen when people are reaching or looking for the phone when it starts ringing, or when they are not looking at the road because they are trying to dial or find a number, or even text message! Once you have the person on the phone, then the only "distraction" is that you're driving with one less hand--which is bad if you're suddenly in a situation where you need to act quickly. So the headsets would come in handy if you talk for a long time while driving.
Life is something that you can't control.
When you try to hold on to it, it makes you let go!
Well i passed a teenage girl the other day texting while driving...I for one can hardly text and chew gum but she was so quick I almost wrecked watching her! I think that something needs to be done but I for one don't think it should be isolated to just young drivers. I know as a mother I've done more than I'd like to admit while driving.
Hopefully they will consider a bill making it illegal for anyone to talk on a cell phone while driving. Maybe this will make me think twice before doing this. I am ashamed to admit that this is what it took to make me use my seat belt all the time.
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