Teen Driver Texting Ban Advances
By Kelli Wynn and Jackie Borchardt, Dayton Daily News, Ohio |
Thirty-one states have banned cellphone use for teen drivers but none have gone as far as
The
The bill prohibits drivers younger than 18 from using cellphones and other electronic devices. Teens who violate the primary offense could receive a
Senators weakened the proposed texting ban for adults, making the violation a secondary offense similar to seatbelt violations, which means drivers can't be pulled over for texting. Drivers would have to be pulled over for other violations such as speeding or running a red light. The ban also allows 10 exceptions including dialing a phone number or using the phone's GPS services.
In the House version, which passed 88-10 in June, texting was a primary offense for all drivers.
Sen.
The eight senators who opposed the bill were split by party. Sen.
"Be it texting, talking to other people in the vehicle, entering a destination into a GPS or dipping your fries in ketchup, distracted driving is dangerous and the lives destroyed by distracted driving are not going to care whether you were texting or talking when you destroyed their lives," Coley said. "Saving lives is important but saving freedom is more important."
Republican Sen.
"The right to life is your pre-eminent right and no one has the freedom to take an action that puts another's life in jeopardy," Lehner said.
The statewide ban does not trump local ordinances, which Sen.
For example,
Seitz said he doesn't text but is guilty of occasionally checking his email while driving home.
"I'm not going to vote for a law that makes me guilty -- I'd be a hypocrite," Seitz said.
The bill's advocates, including the
Teen drivers interviewed Thursday said they favor the tougher penalties and restrictions.
"It's not worth it to endanger yourself and those around you," Ashley said. He said the proposed law is fair and he supports the idea that the state ban focuses on all electronic use while driving.
"No matter what, you are taking your eyes off the road," he said. "If you are trying to type in a search for a song, it's still the same as typing a message."
"I think that it's fair as far as protecting us and the people around us, but older people are learning how to text," Rivers said. She said the new ban will be effective because "no teenager wants to pay
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Source: | McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Wordcount: | 779 |
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