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Bill bans teens from using devices while driving
New law for under-18 drivers
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James Glover II / Star staff Oxnard High School students, from left, Alyssa Saunders, 16, Shanice Allgood, 15, and Chanel Drake, 16, send text messages to friends in between classes. A new state law will prohibit drivers under 18 from using cell phones or other electronic gadgets while driving.
Calls from the road
Six percent of all drivers nationwide were on cell phones in 2005, the latest year for which numbers are available. In 2004, the number was 5 percent.
974,000 Vehicles on the road at any given daylight moment being driven by someone on a hand-held phone.
10 Percent of vehicles during any given daylight hour whose driver is using some type of phone, whether it is hand-held or hands-free.
5 Percent of males holding phones to their ears.
8Percent of females holding phones to their ears.
10Percent of people ages 16-24 holding phones to their ears.
Source: National Occupant Protection Use Survey
STORY TOOLS 
More from EducationOxnard High School sophomore Nichole Depaolo admitted she has been in cars with friends who talked on their cell phones and sent text messages while driving.
Sitting in a 7 a.m. driver's education class Thursday, Depaolo's 11 other classmates nodded their heads in agreement. Everyone does it, they said.
"It's a little freaky because they aren't really paying attention to the road," Depaolo said. "Kids don't think about what's going to happen to them when they stay on the phone."
Starting next summer, however, California teens can be cited if they text, talk on the phone or use any other electronic device while driving.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Thursday that bans 16- and 17-year-old drivers from using cell phones, pagers, walkie-talkies, laptop computers and other devices, even if they have "hands-free" features.
Introduced by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 passed on a bipartisan vote in both the state Senate and Assembly and will take effect next July.
If cited, a teen driver faces a fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses.
The tickets will not count as a moving violation, and teens can still use their phones during an emergency.
Flanked by Simitian and students from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Schwarzenegger signed the bill during a press conference Thursday.
"I want to remind teenagers even though it takes effect in July, don't use your cell phones right now," Schwarzenegger said. "Take that very seriously."
Simitian said he pushed for the bill to protect the state's youngest drivers. "The crash rates for 16-year-old drivers is five times greater than their 18-year-old friends," said Simitian, who cited a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. "If we can get kids to put down their cell phones PDAs it is a lifesaver."
According to the American Automobile Association, California is the 16th state to pass such a ban. Other states, including New York, Washington and Massachusetts, are also considering legislation to bar teens from driving and dialing.
Schwarzenegger signed a bill last year, also written by Simitian, that requires all other cell phone users in California to use a hands-free device while driving. That measure also takes effect next July.
Local law enforcement officials and parents applauded Thursday's bill signing.
"When I see kids driving down the road with a cell phone in their ear, it really makes me cringe," said Ventura County Sheriff's Capt. Tim Hagel. "They are still mastering their driving-muscle memory, and at that age it probably takes them 12 to 13 seconds to react. That's not long enough to avoid an accident.
"Parents will also appreciate this bill because it would probably help reduce property damages and insurance costs."
Hagel's son, 16-year-old Michael, just received his driving permit but won't be allowed to get his license until he turns 18. The younger Hagel said he understands his father's concerns and the importance of the new law.
"Everyone is addicted to texting and talking to their friends," said Michael Hagel, a junior at Moorpark High School. "Hopefully, it will force people to drive safer and not get into as many crashes."
Sheriff's Senior Deputy Rick Godfrey, a senior traffic investigator in Thousand Oaks, said the $20 and $50 fines are not enough. "If their parents end up paying for it, what good would that do?" Godfrey said.
The signing of the new bill also sparked a conversation at Terry Collins' early-morning driver's education class at Oxnard High. Collins, who told his class that he usually drives with his cell phone off, said the ban should be expanded to include drivers of all ages.
"In reality, it's dangerous for everyone," he said. "It's not just teens who are causing those accidents. Although they do allow hands-free devices for other drivers, that's not the issue. You are still not thinking about the road, and you end up missing a lot that could cause an accident and even a potential death."
Although most of the students in his class thought the new law was a good idea, enforcing it will be the bigger challenge, they said.
"There are always going to be those people who are going to take that risk until they have to pay the consequences," said 15-year-old sophomore Rocio Lopez.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 14, 2007 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
DJ, I agree the penalty is a joke!
pconvery99,I have been driving and talking on the phone for years ......never had an accident or came close due to being on the phone. Although I do not abuse my phone use. I do find it helpful when driving long distances on isolated roads just to stay awake at times. But what is good for me may not be for others. And I would NEVER stop traffic to answer a call.......
Posted by Ventuckey on September 14, 2007 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, beginning 2008 we'll all have to use handsfree devices behind the wheel in California. How many of you in favor of the teen ban are prepared to do that? That's another reason why I have my windows tinted.
Posted by 5thGenerationOxnard on September 14, 2007 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a teenaged son who got his license 6 months ago and this law only reenforces my rules for his driving. No cell, no texting, no stereo, no kids in the car (other than his brother occasionally). My penalty for his breaking any of these rules will be much more severe than the government's penalty and he knows it.
And I ALWAYS use hands free when I'm driving and keep call times to a minimum as well.
Posted by waasup_H8RS on September 14, 2007 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this needs to be ALL drivers. I have been in waaay more close calls with business men.. moms.. and one time even a delivery truck! Everyone needs to get off the phone.. you can go 30 minutes or an hour without being reached to ensure you arrive safe. I mean if you really want to talk. throw it on speaker.. it works amazing.
Posted by bugmenot on September 14, 2007 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't worry, the penalty is just the fine. The courts will add their fair share, so with the government and taxes. When it's all said and done, there will not be $25 fines, it'll be much more.
Also, why just teens? Why not ban everybody?
Posted by THX1138 on September 14, 2007 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This technology has turned into an unsafe obsession and it's about time that some restrictions are put in place. I'd bet the phone company lobbiest have been fighting this for some time. On the other hand I'm surprized the insurance companies would push for restrictions[?].
Perhaps Pcon..99 is the exception; I've seen so many near collisions and p*ssed-off drivers due to careless driving habits, [not using turn signal, driving slow etc].
To some the mobile phone has become a pacifier; many drive with them in their hand in anticipation that it will ring - unbelievable[?!].
What will be interesting is how this and up-coming restriction will be enforced...[?]
Posted by rettingr on September 14, 2007 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I really wish the cell phone companies would be forced to implement a technology that prevented the phone from being used when it was moving over 5 miles per hour. The only exception would be to dial 911. That would override the lockout. That way, each and every idiot that thinks they are so popular that they have to talk and drive will stop their behavior that is putting the rest of society at risk.
Posted by smithjc on September 14, 2007 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this law should be extended to all persons, not matter what the age. i hate seeing people driving with cellphones glued to their ears. they are not paying adequate attention, plus only have one hand free restricts their ability to control their vehicle. i've also noticed that it limits your mobility to do things like look before you make a lane change. mirrors are nice, but not enough as they do have blind spots. if you don't want to use hands free, then hang up and drive.
i use a little bluetooth ear thingy when driving, and even most of the rest of the time. it's very convenient and allow me to use both hands and have the mobility to fully turn and look around as needed.
and btw, ventuckey, sounds like you may have windows tinted in violation of the california vehicle code. i would suggest that you review section 26708 to make sure of your compliance with the law.
Posted by rcamacho on September 14, 2007 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why Teens is right. EVERBODY should be banned fro cell phone use WHILE driving or make it mandatory to have blue tooth ear pieces. Most of the people that have almost hit me were ADULTS. I never got side swiped by a teen driver once.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on September 14, 2007 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The new law doesn't go far enough.
I recently responded to an accident at close to midnight where a 22 year old young lady had wiped out the side of a new pickup, one that was needed by the owner for his business.
The young lady admitted to being mad at her boyfriend and was busily engaged in texting him when she sideswiped the pickup.
Text messaging or even dailing by hand while driving, NO at any age.
Voice dialing with hands-free operation, okay.
Posted by PMarlowe on September 16, 2007 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This law is outrageous. First of all, the fees aren't nearly high enough. And secondly, as said in the article, it would be nearly impossible to enforce.
Not to mention the fact that it's not just teenagers who use their phones too much. It's everybody.
And I'd like to comment on one thing that someone said in the article. 12 to 13 seconds reaction time for teenagers? That's so much bull. No one's reaction time is that slow unless they're blind, deaf, and old. Does he know what twelve seconds is? And he's a cop. Reaction time for any driver shouldn't be more than two seconds, and that's really slow, too.
Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on September 17, 2007 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PMarlowe, you are correct about reaction time. We were taught, while preparing for a driving test in a police vehicle, that we needed two to three seconds between us and car in front. 10 - 12 seconds is your driving horizon of awareness.
Posted by justagirl on September 18, 2007 at 9 p.m. (Suggest removal)
THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO SAY I THINK THIS LAW SHOULD APPLY TO ALL DRIVERS!!!!!! & THE REASON BEING I LOST A FRIEND IN AUGUST DUE TO A TXTING DRIVER THE GUY HIT HER HEAD ON [HE ENDED UP IN HER LANE BECAUSE HE WAS TXTING WHILE DRIVING!!!] I WISH THEY'D RETHINK THE LAW THIS IS MY FRIENDS MYSPACE http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus...
AND THE PENALTYS AKA;THE FINES FOR BREAKING THIS LAW IS A JOKE!!!! WELL THIS IS JUST MY VIEW..
OH AND "["There are always going to be those people who are going to take that risk until they have to pay the consequences," said 15-year-old sophomore Rocio Lopez.]" ME & OTHERS PAID THE CONSEQUENCE WE LOST AN AMAZING FRIEND DUE TO SOMEONE TAKING THAT RISK!!!!!!!
Posted by AnnaWhaat on September 21, 2007 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sigourney_r ,My Condolences to you and your friends for the loss of your friend. At no time do I feel anyone should be texting while driving.
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