On Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that
will prohibit teens from using their cell phones to call or text
message while driving vehicles. The law will also bar teens between
the ages of 16 and 18 from using computers or walkie-talkies while
driving.
Pulling out of the San Benito High School parking lot Monday after school in her green sedan, a student steered one-handed, laughing and using the other hand to hold her cell phone into which she was talking animatedly.
Come next year this student could be issued a ticket for up to $50 for driving while talking – even if she purchases a headset between now and next summer, when adults will be restricted to using headset technology while driving.
On Thursday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation that will prohibit teens from using their cell phones to call or text message while driving vehicles. The law will also bar teens between the ages of 16 and 18 from using computers or walkie-talkies while driving.
The law will go into effect July 1 of next year.
But despite the omnipresence of cell phones on San Benito High School’s campus after school, and the importance a personal phone can play in the social life of a teenager, many said they already don’t talk or text message while they’re driving.
Stephanie Gonzales, 17, said she doesn’t use her phone while driving – both because of a rule her parents enforce and because of her own concerns about car safety.
“I don’t because you could get in a wreck. It just distracts you while driving,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales said she thought the law is a good idea, and would be a good way to make the roads safer.
“I think it’s good but it should also be for adults, because I see a lot of adults not paying attention,” Gonzales said.
In fact, a similar law will go into effect for adults on the same date. This law will force adults to use a hands-free device for talking on their phones while driving.
Several of the high school students who spoke with the Free Lance said they believe this double standard isn’t fair.
Christian Arias, 16, said he uses a hands-free device while driving. Although he agrees driving while speaking on a cell phone can be dangerous, he said he talks only late at night, to stay alert, when he feels drowsy.
“I do it so if you’re driving you don’t fall asleep, because that’s dangerous, too,” Arias said.
But Arias’ friend, Morris Granados, also 16, said he still thinks it’s more dangerous to drive with a cell phone in hand because of the distractions and difficulties of driving one-handed.
“You shouldn’t let anyone talk on the phone,” Granados said, adding. “I text, but only when I’m stopped.”
San Benito High School Principal Krystal Lomanto said while the law had little bearing in an academic setting, she’s personally in favor of its passing.
“Obviously for safety reasons, it’s probably a good idea,” Lomanto said.
District Human Resources Director Mike Potmesil agreed. Potmesil said he enforces a rule for his daughter, 18, banning her from talking while driving.
“I think it’s great for the kids,” he said.
Schwarzenegger signed the bill, citing statistics from the California Highway Patrol that using a cell phone is a primary cause for accidents by distracted drivers.
Teens found in violation of the law could face a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for all subsequent offenses.
Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, voted in favor of the bill, said his spokeswoman, Stacey Bohlke.
“Really, the bill is an encouragement to do the right thing – to put down your phone and concentrate on the road,” Bohlke said.
