New Law Bans Cell Phones
Many accidents these days occur because of distractions to the the driver. For teens, texting is their number one driving distraction. Due to the misuse of cell phones by drivers, a text messaging law was put into effect January 1, 2009.
The law has been okayed in six of the 50 states with many more states on the way. The six states who have passed the law are, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington. The District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have also passed the Law.
Illinois is in the process of banning cell phones for teenagers while driving. The Illinois House has approved the bill and now it is moving to the senate. The vote passed 89 to 27. So all you drivers who text, it will soon be illegal in Illinois. The state would like to cut down on automobile accidents so the easiest way to do that is banning texting while driving.
The Wireless Communications Device Law says that no driver is able to read, write or send texts while driving. The one exception is if the driver is in an emergency situation and a law enforcement agency, a medical provider or fire department is needed.
At any point, an officer has the right to pull over a driver he thinks might be breaking this law. If the law is broken, a first offense charge is a ticket between $20 and $50; for multiple offenses, the fine can be more tha triple the base amount.
Since it is a law, if you’re charged for texting or talking on your phone while driving a motor vehicle, it will go on your driving record. However, the violation point will not be added.
If you are an out-of-state driver, the Wireless Communications Device Law does apply to you. If you are a driver from Illinois, where the law has not been passed yet and you’re driving and texting at the same time while in California you will be ticketed.
Even if your phone has a push-to-talk feature you may not use it. You may talk on the phone as long as you’re wearing an earpiece or Bluetooth and both ears are not covered. A driver may even use a speaker phone as long as the driver is not holding the phone in his hand.
The law applies to both teens and adults, but teens are watched more carefully. Statistics have shown that teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to get into car accidents because of lack of experience and being high risk-takers. Teenage drivers are easily distracted, which is why the law is harder on them.
Despite risks of texting and driving, teens habitually ignore the cell phone driving restrictions. In 2007, nearly 1,000 crashes involved 16-17-year-old drivers because of cell phone distractions.
Almost 50% of all drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are texting while driving. just remember, it’s better to reach your destination alive. People will understand if you don’t text them back right away or pick up their phone call the instant they call you.
