New law aims to curb distracted teenage drivers Issues Beyond Palo Alto, posted by Editor, Palo Alto Online, on Sep 13, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a new law today that beginning in July 2008 will make it illegal for 16- and 17-year-olds to drive while talking on their cell phone or text messaging. "The simple fact is that teen drivers are more easily distracted," Schwarzenegger said. "The majority of accidents with teen drivers is because they're distracted."
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, September 13, 2007, 7:18 PM
Posted by Parent, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Sep 14, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Well said, Arnold. Teen drivers are very easily distracted and not just by phones. All teens should listen to what Arnold said about giving his daughters cars and phones and if they use both at the same time, they will lose both.
Posted by andi w., a resident of Los Altos Hills, on Sep 18, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I think it's unfair to limit this law to 16/17 year olds. I've seen plenty of people - whether they are young or old, black or white, big or small, male or female - who are, just like teenagers, safety hazards on the road while speaking on cell phones/text messaging as well. It is true that 16/17 year olds are more unexperienced at driving, but phones are distracting no matter how experienced of a driver you are.
The television show on the Discovery Channel, Mythbusters, dedicated an episode to comparing the effects of driving while intoxicated and driving while on the phone - they were both EQUALLY hazardous!
If driving drunk is illegal, driving on the phone should also be as well - they BOTH take lives!
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