Calif. law targets teen drivers by banning all mobile devices

The California Assembly overwhelming voted to take all wireless devices out of the hands of drivers under the age of 18, a measure that builds on the state’s existing across-the-board ban on handheld phone use while behind the wheel.
The bill, which passed the State Senate in April, now goes to back to that legislative body for a final vote on Assembly amendments. The legislation would next move to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), who has 30 days to sign or veto the bill.
“I introduced this bill for one simple reason-it will save lives,” said Sen. Joe Simitian (D). “Year after year, car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers. The young drivers who are using cellphones, pagers and PDAs while driving are putting not only themselves at risk, but all of us as well.”
Simitian said he was cautiously optimistic about the bill’s chances with the governor. “The evidence is overwhelming, and the bill has attracted broad-based bipartisan support,” said Simitian. The lawmaker noted that when Schwarzenegger signed his separate, hands-free cellphone bill last year the governor cited his own experience with his teenage daughter, who is not allowed to use a mobile phone while driving.
Under the latest bill, California drivers under the age of 18 would be barred from using cellphones (including hands-free devices) or any mobile service devices including pagers, two-way messaging devices, PDAs and laptop computers while on the road. Violators would be assessed a $20 fine for the first offense and a $50 fine for subsequent offenses, with no violation point on the violator’s driving record.
The legislation, if signed into law, would go into effect on July 1, 2008-the same day as the sweeping ban on hands-free phone use by drivers kicks in. Hands-free driver bans already are in effect in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, the District of Columbia and various cities. Washington state enacted a law earlier this year banning all wireless texting by drivers. Other states are considering bans on wireless device operation by drivers in attempt to reduce driver distractions.
“As a mother of two teenagers I know first-hand about how technology has given kids more ways to stay connected to their friends. Over 6 million kids have cellphones capable of receiving calls, text messages, taking pictures or surfing the web. There is a time and a place for using these devices and it is not behind the wheel of a car,” said Assemblymember Bonnie Garcia (R), Simitian’s principal co-author on the bill.
A 2001 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found 16-year-old drivers have a crash rate five times greater than 18 year olds, and almost ten times greater than drivers ages 30-59. Moreover, according to Ford Motor Co. research, teen drivers are four times more distracted than adult drivers when using a cellphone while driving.