California Bans Minors from Dialing and Driving

Legislatures have been heating up over the dangers of using cell phones while driving, with one recent action taking aim text messaging while driving. Whether such laws have any effect is another story, but that hasn't stopped states from continuing to push for more restrictions against dialing and driving. The latest comes from California, where a new law that will prevent 16- and 17-year-old drivers (and only 16- and 17-year-old drivers) from using cell phones, PDAs, laptops, or pagers while driving. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2008. I first thought the age-limited law was unique, but it turns out 15 other states and D.C. already have similar laws on the books.

The impetus for such a law is pretty compelling: Auto accidents are the cause of 44 percent of all teen deaths, and cell phone use has been implicated as the cause for a large number of those. A third of teen drivers admit to being distracted by tech gear while driving their cars, and teen cell phone use while driving is rapidly on the rise.

As laws go, however, this one is pretty toothless: A $20 fine for the first offense and $50 after that, no points on your license, and cops can't even pull you over just because they see you talking on the phone. I don't know any kid who'd feel threatened by such a weak law enough to change his or her behavior.

And why target kids? Sure, they are statistically worse drivers, but there are plenty of grown-ups who are completely incapable of driving their automobiles, too, especially if they're on the phone. (Guy who's trying to dial the phone while heavy traffic is navigating a narrow San Francisco street while everyone waits for you to get through... I'm talking to you.) Ban 'em all, I say.

So, for those of you in those 15 other states, plus D.C., do laws like this have any effect where you live? What would you prefer to see legislated?

LINK: Guv signs law banning minors from using cell phones while driving