California Bans Teens From Using Laptops, Cell Phones Behind The Wheel

Citing a fistful of studies that show teenagers among the most distracted and dangerous of drivers, the state Assembly on Monday passed a bill that would prohibit drivers under the age of 18 from using a cellphone, pager, text-messaging device or laptop while driving.

The bill passed by a 62-5 vote, with Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (R-Cathedral City) noting that teenagers make up 6% of licensed drivers but 16% of auto accident fatalities.

Read entire story here.

Comments

[Birdman]

Amazing that none of the posters here appear to be aware that there are Laws already on the books that can be used in situations of Cell phone use, new ones are not needed. Just look through your laws search for distracted drivers laws that means anything, eating, drinking, anything other then driving. Simply means you can be ticketed for being distracted in anyway. But go ahead add more laws that will not be enforced who cares. I like th eclassic above where he states driving 80 last time I checked maximum anywhere in the US is 75 most cities have a max of 65. Where you ticketed for driving 80? I doubt it, just proves my point speeding is illegal easy to detect but how many get tickets?

[kellygrrrl]

trust me, there are very few moments in Los Angeles when you will have the opportunity to hit 80. Maybe in the middle of the night in the outskirts of town.

[kellygrrrl]

Why just teens?
Go to any school parking lot or street during drop-off or pick-up time and watch the parents. It is a truly frightening experience!

[CintiBlue]

I don't do anything in the car except look out for other people.

There just isn't anything I have to say to anyone while I drive down the road.

[Yourtalkingtoyourself]

It is ridiculous that anyone - except in a bonofide emergency - is allowed to use any electronic device while driving. Ohhhh, their rights! (they will say). What about the rights of all who can resist the bad habit. Similar to seeing folks use their cells in their driveway, I'm amazed at how many people walk out of their office and immediately pick up the cell in their car. Let's face it, we tolerate babbling about nothing at the detriment to safety for no good reason. What happened to the rights of many tumping the narcisistic "rights" of a blabbermout?

[Libsrule]

My favorite is seeing people pulling out of their driveways and immediately using their cell phones. I've seen more cars than I can count making left or right turns, usually left, and not quite getting it right. Most on the verge of over left turning.

I have no problem with no hands although even that can be distracting as people tend to zone out while they are on the phone but in all honesty teenagers are the worst when it comes to wanting to text and drive at the same time.

The fine should be REALLLLY high for being caught doing that.

[JScott]

Agree!
I read somewhere that germans were apalled that US drivers demanded cup holders, they don't even drink beverages while driving on the no speed limit autobahn.
And there was a posting not to long back that clearly demonstrated that human CANNOT multitask. So why provide/enable more distractions for the vehicle driver anyway.
It's not a nanny state, it getting rid if bad habits and rude bad behavior that endangers others.

[ESerafina42]

How about banning ANYONE from using ANY eletronic device behind the wheel? Why pick on teenagers? And laptops? People use laptops while they're driving? Sheesh!