Calif. Bill Would Ban Cell Phone, Texting Use by Teenage Drivers

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August 29th, 2007

"Cell Phone Usage Linked to Higher Crash Rate"

On Monday, the California State Assembly passed a bill that would prohibit the use of cell phones, pagers, laptops, and text-messaging devices by drivers under the age of 18. The bill passed with a vote of 62 to 5. It has already passed in the Senate and will be returned to the Senate for final approval of some amendments. That approval is expected, but Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has not yet decided whether he will okay the bill or veto it.

Much Higher Crash Rates Among Teen Drivers

The bill was introduced by Palo Alto senator Joe Simitian, who cited a National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA) report that 16-year-old drivers have a vehicle crash rate that is fully five times higher than the rate for 18-year-olds and nearly 10 times higher than the rate for drivers between 30 and 59 years old.

In addition, Ford Motor Company research revealed that teenage drivers are four times more distracted when using a cell phone while driving, compared to adult drivers. The National Transportation Safety Board has a suggested "prohibition of the use of wireless communication device by young novice drivers" on it list of "Most Wanted" safety recommendations.

Most Teens Use Cell Phones, Texting While Driving

In a 2007 survey of 16- and 17-year-old drivers by Seventeen magazine and the American Automobile Association, 61% of the teens admitted to driving habits such as sending text messages while driving (46%) and talking on a cell phone while driving (51%).

Said Senator Simitian, a Democrat, "I introduced this bill for one simple reason: It will save lives�Year after year, car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers. The young drivers who are using cell phones, pagers and PDAs while driving are putting not only themselves at risk, but all of us as well."

Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (R-Cathedral City) seconded his concerns, pointing out that although teenage drivers are just 6% of licensed drivers, they account for 16% of auto accident fatalities. She noted, "On average we are losing 17 kids a day across the United States due to fatalities in which distraction was involved."

Bill Follows Another Cell Phone Use Ban for All Drivers in CA

Sen. Simitian was optimistic that the bill would be signed into law, since Gov. Schwarzenegger signed a bill last year that will ban hand-held cell phone use by all drivers by July 1, 2008. The governor has also stated that he does not let his teenage daughter use a cell phone while driving.

If the new bill is passed, a first violation will result in a $20 fine, and $50 fines will be leveled for subsequent violations. No points will be taken off a violator's driving record.

(Source: Los Angeles Times online)

Do you have questions about cell phone use while driving? Have you been in an accident involving cell phone use by a driver? Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case.