Bill Targets Teens With Cell Phones

Reported By: Denis O'Hayer

A bill to take cell phones out of the hands of new teen drivers passed its first test at the State Capitol Monday. A House subcommittee approved the measure, which bans all 16- and 17-year-old drivers from using any cell phones while at the wheel.

The ban even covers hands-free devices. "They text each other. They utilize their BlackBerrys in addition to their cell phones so this is just trying to get to the learning drivers," said Bob Dallas of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

The subcommittee only passed the ban after sponsors promised it would not be extended to adult drivers. Some lawmakers doubted that it would really get teens to hang up and pay attention to the road."It's gonna be difficult to enforce. Surely, driving and talking on the phone can be a distraction for all of us, teenagers as well as adults," said Rep. Butch Parrish, R-Swainsboro.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Len Walker, countered, "Studies have clearly indicated that cell phone usage is a major distraction, especially for inexperienced drivers, and so we felt that it was appropriate to take some steps to prohibit these cell phones.

"If a teen driver is caught with a cell phone in hand, the bill calls for a minimal violation of just one point on a driver's license. The bill now goes to the full Motor Vehicles Committee.

If it passes there, it moves on to the full House.