States restrict texting, cell phone usage

Photo Credit: Alexsia Brown

Dee Gooseby, senior, becomes distracted by his cell phone while in his vehicle.

Last 5 stories in Features

• Parents interfere in teen's social life - May 7, 2010
• Dangers of Chatroulette - May 5, 2010
• Students embrace long awaited Spring Break - April 21, 2010
• Long time teacher and veteran takes his leave - April 15, 2010
• Seniors express their passion for sports - April 14, 2010

Other stories that might interest you...

• Teachers, students disagree on texting in class
• New cell phone rule brings good response by students
• The reason for drivers ed
• The Joshua’s Law instills safety within upcoming drivers
• Biology students learn through Starlab Planetarium

Written by Alexsia Brown, Reporter

Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, feet on the pedal, the driver’s focus is immediately interrupted by a ring tone from the cell phone, notifying that he has a text. The driver reaches for the phone, reads it and texts back. Immediately after, the driver’s eyes are on the road as his car hits another vehicle.

Handheld cell phones are being prohibited from all drivers when driving in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington D.C. and the Virgin Islands.

No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but many prohibit all cell phone use by certain drivers, such as novice drivers and school bus drivers. Twenty-four states, D.C. and Guam have banned text messaging for drivers. Nineteen states, D.C. and Guam have primary enforcement.

An additional eight states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers and one state restricts bus drivers from texting while driving.

Maine, New Hampshire and Utah treat cell phone use and texting as part of a larger distracted driving issue. In Utah, cell phone use is an offense only if a driver is committing some moving violation other than speeding.

There are even states that include a category for cell phone/electronic equipment distraction on police accident report forms. Recently proposed federal legislation would require states to collect this data in order to qualify for certain federal funding.

Many localities have passed their own distracted driving bans. Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada and Oklahoma prohibit localities from enacting such laws. There have even been rumors that Georgia may pass the law of banning texting while driving.

“I think that they should pass the law because texting while driving is dangerous,” Piper Slaton, substitute teacher, said. “I think that texting while driving is the cause of the majority of car wrecks.”