Holiday Gift Guide »

California teenagers banned from using cellphones while driving – Finally!

Categories: Announcements
By: , IntoMobile
Monday, September 17th, 2007 at 1:07 PM

Teenaged girl using mobile phone and distracted while driving - California bans teenage phone use while driving

In a move that makes so much sense that we have to ask ourselves why it didn’t happen earlier, Governator Arnold Schwarzeneggar has signed a bill that will ban teenagers from using their mobile phones behind the wheel. The bill, introduced by Democratic state Senator Joe Simitian will ban teenagers from using an electronic device, such as cellphones, pagers, laptops, and handheld computers while driving.

If you’ll remember, the Indian state of Karnataka has already banned mobile phones use entirely for anyone 16 year of age and younger, so this new California bill seems to be a step in the right direction – protecting teenagers from annoying everyone around them.

Much like California’s seat-belt law, teenagers caught using a cellphone while drivigwill be subject to a $20 fine, and $50 for each additional violation. The new law will take effect on July 1, 2008 – the same day that all Californians will be required to use a hands-free kit while driving.

Oh, and the law should also protect teens from themselves. “The simple fact is that teenage drivers are more easily distracted,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement. “They are young, inexperienced, and have a slower reaction time. We want to eliminate any extra distractions so they can focus on paying attention to the road and being good drivers.”

Either way, we hope the roads will become a safer, non-distracted place for the rest of us. Although, we can’t imagine soccer moms in their huge SUVs, with cell phones glued to their ears, could be any less dangerous. Well, here’s to hoping!

[Via: Information Week]

About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

  • JaXX

    Actually, everyone should be banned of using a hand held cellphone… hands free (bluetooth / boomstick mic) should just be tolerated.

    My thoughts…

  • JaXX

    (Oh…and I mean while driving of course… :wink: )

  • William

    In some countries using cell while driving have been already banned.

  • JaXX

    Yep, like where I am :-)

  • Liron

    I second the above comments.

    Many countries have banned cellphone use while driving years ago by all drivers behind the wheel, not just teenagers.

    I remember my previous visit to the states in 2002, I was shocked to see the amount of drivers engaged in a phone conversation while maneuvering around intersections.