Cell phone ban for teen drivers?
p2p news / p2pnet:- US federal regulators want all states to ban teenagers and other novice drivers to from using cell phones while they’re driving.
“The National Transportation Safety Board put the proposed restriction on its ‘most wanted’ list of safety improvements for the upcoming year, which also includes older appeals for more states to impose limits on teens’ night driving and carrying of passengers,” says Reuters.
Highway crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds, says trhe storym, going on:
“From 1995 to 2004, about 64,000 young people were killed in traffic accidents, federal statistics show. More than half the fatalities occurred at night.
“A survey released by U.S. auto safety regulators earlier this year found that hand-held cell phone use among drivers between 16 and 24 increased to 8 percent in 2004 from 5 percent in 2002 and 3 percent in 2000.”
Eleven states and the District of Columbia have certain limits on “wireless technology” while driving and, “Most prohibit cell phone use by drivers who are getting their license,” adds Reuters.
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See:-
Reuters – US board urges cell-phone ban for new teen drivers, September 20, 2005
September 21st, 2005 at 3:32 pm
I wonder if that ban will apply to teenage drivers of military vehicals overseas. Anyway, I’ll feel safer knowing that I’ll be hit by a middle-aged salesman rather than a teenager.
September 21st, 2005 at 5:10 pm
Cell phones have to be banned for ALL drivers!!!
No matter what form, no matter how its used, no matter the age… Using a Cell Phone while driving is worse than being drunk!
September 21st, 2005 at 6:07 pm
Here (Hungary) it was banned two or three years ago and it really made the streets safer. (And it made a big business to speaker manufacturers)
But I think the problem with a few countries (US included) that they think at the driving license as a right, almost everybody can get a license without any proper heath examination, or driving tests.
Here for example a license costs more than 1000 euro and at least a half year and you have to take 5 different exams, some of them are very hard. (I took the last one for the 4th time) I don’t know if it is more secure, but it’s very good to know, that anyone I see driving was properly educated to drive safely.
September 21st, 2005 at 10:23 pm
Looking for reasons why there’s more accidents at night?
It could be as simple as that.
There’s more drunk pedestrians on a night too.
But… no… let’s make a link whereever we can.
September 21st, 2005 at 10:55 pm
I much agree that cell phone use and driving are not compatible. One has only to drive the roads a bit to find out it is very hard at night to distinglish if the driver is drunk or if the driver is talking on a cell phone. As far as driving skills when it comes to talking on the cell phone while driving, there is no difference in the amount of wandering the vehicle does on the road.
Certainly, having been the victim of being rear ended at a red light by someone driving while talking on a cell phone made me a believer. There was nothing between that driver and my vehicle to prevent seeing me or my brake lights nor the other 6 vehicles waiting at the light. The driver not only had ample time to see me and slow to a stop but absolutely nothing between us to prevent seeing me.
September 21st, 2005 at 11:00 pm
I read about some research into this. Cell phone use of any kind, even hands free lowered people’s reaction times while driving to the level of drunk people who could not pass a breathalizer test, regardless of age. The ONLY reason lawmakers are limiting this agenda to teens is because if they did not, THE BAN WOULD INCLUDE THEM.
September 22nd, 2005 at 11:56 am
In addition to cell phone usage, the following activities by the driver (of any age) operating a motor vehicle should be prohibited (all of which have been personally observed by me):
Applying Cosmetics
Shaving
Reading a newspaper, periodical, or book. (Brief glacing at a map or a piece of paper with directions on it would be permitted.)
Responding to e-mail on a laptop computer connected to the cell phone laying open on the seat next to them.
Changing a baby’s diaper.
Brushing their teeth. (Toothpick use would be permitted.)
Eating anything larger than bite size
Putting in contact lenses.
Writing Checks / Balancing Checkbook
Watching television. (This is already illegal in many places.)
Applying giftwrap to a package.
Cooking. (Making instant <whatever> with hot water out of a Thermos.)
Any kind of sexually-oriented self-gratification activity.