Minn Bans Cells for Teen Drivers

it should be like that all over the US

 

OK, while I'm normally against laws that ban cell phone use, this one I'm 100% for. This is a perfect common-sense law, and I hope to hell that it comes to Jersey, and soon.

 

Personally, even though I know that driving while talking on the phone does change my reaction time to things, etc. I still feel safe talking and driving at the same time, whether I'm on the freeway during rush hour or driving at 1 a.m. while talking to keep me awake.

 

I think it's a good step but let's be realistic, it's not just teens who get distracted by talking on the phone while driving.

 

Het Rancid, where did you find this story? This is kind of wierd, because I haven't heard one thing on the news around here yet about it.

 

I was wondering the same thing. I am originally from MN so this story intrigues me...

 

I couldn't agree more. We get a lot of older/elderly snowbirds from MN, and they can not drive if their life depended on it.

 

Guess what? I agree too. Last week a kid in Philly. was killed, talking on a cell because he did not hear a fire truck. That call cost that 17 year old boy his life.

Here in the suburbs kids and otherwise conversation engrossed moron adults
will tail gate a 65 MPH and wonder why one would be upset. Most calls are just not worth the trouble of an accident, try to get that point across around here.

Back in the late 1970's I had a dial phone, no memory and of course it was not cellular it was called IMTS, Imagine dialing and taking a curve.

Cellular use today could be much safer that the old mobile phone days, IF, people would let the call come second to the operation of a 2 ton lethal machine.

 

I hope that something goes into affect here. There is a 14 year old kid, that lives next door to me who has a hardship license, and he drives a BIG dodge ram, and he cuts me off EVERY MORNING (during the school year) on my way to work,and hes on his way to school I'm guessing, and he is always on the phone.

 

How in the hell does a 14 year old have a license? What kind of "hardship" gets you a license at that age? For that matter, how does he reach the pedals? =)

 

14? do the kid and others a favor, Let the cops know! You may save several lives.

 

Yea he's 14 sure enough. He told my son the hardship is that.. his parents work, and a bus doesn't run through where we live. But yeah, i dunno who in the right mind would give this kid a license... but what can I say, his parent probably paid someone off... they are the kind that get what they want because of their money. They own about half the restaurants in scott and campbell counties.

 

14? I didn't think you could get a license in any state if you were under 16. WoW! Things are different in Tennessee!!

 

Article Link

New law says cell phones and teen drivers don't mix
The Associated Press
July 17, 2005 MNTeensCellPhones

MANKATO, Minn. - The days of many teens legally driving with cell phones in their ears are coming to end, thanks to a new law that takes effect Jan. 1.

"It's become a huge distraction, and I see often on the roadways ... where people get so involved with their conversation on the phone they forget about what is No. 1, and that is driving the vehicle," said Maj. Al Smith of the Minnesota State Patrol.

The law bans people with learner's permits and provisional licenses from using cell phones while driving. People who violate the new law face a $25 fine. The ban was included in the transportation omnibus bill signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty last week.

The law will affect thousands of young drivers. In 2004, the state issued 103,465 instructional permits and 113,784 provisional licenses, according to state figures.

Minnesota's new law is part of a national trend of state governments trying to get young drivers to keep their attention on the road. Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and Tennessee have similar laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Other states are considering them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death of teenagers, and a study released last week by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers using cell phones were four times more likely to get into crashes that cause injuries than drivers who didn't.

At least one North Mankato teen thinks the new law is a good idea.

"I actually agree with it because I think when you're just learning how to drive, it's hard enough to do it and think about it, let alone talk while you're doing it," said Katie Dorn, 15.

So does Dan Roehl, owner of Safety and Respect Driving School in Mankato. He said cell phones often ring while he's giving lessons to young drivers.

"These kids need all the help they can get, and if we have to legislate, so be it," said Roehl, who also teaches at a local high school.

The friends of Natalie Schreyer, 16, all have cell phones and some use them while driving, but she believes in shutting them off.

"I think it would be good for most kids just to concentrate on the road and not even have cell phones be an option," said Schreyer of Mankato.

 

I remember when I was younger a 14 year old could get a liscense for use directly related to the operation of a family farm as tractors and other farm equipment are classified as motor vehicles. I have no idea if this exception still exists in the code of Virginia. It might as Virginia is still considered an agricultural state and farm equipment on public roads does have the right-of-way.

 

Lol, are you serious? Not even in rural Germany does farm equipment have the right of way

 

In California begining drivers are not supposed to have other teens with them in the car.

 

Heck, when I was 14 I was about 6' 2" and 270 pounds. I would have had no problem reaching them.

 

They have to be accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 25 as well. At least this was the rule when the CA provisional permit regulations were revised in mid-1998.

 

You can also overtake the tractors on any German country road (aka Landstrasse) . Wrrrrooooooommmmmmmm!!

 

In Iowa, you can get a school license at 14. The authorities determine your route and, at least when I lived there, you had a sheet of paper with the route on it that you had to carry with your license (bright yellow colouring on the license whereas a normal motor vehicle license had red colouring). If you were caught off that route you couldn't get your license until you were 18.

Anyone at any age can drive farm equipment on non-paved roads provided they have the owner's permission. You have to be 12 to drive farm equipment on paved roads and you're not allowed on four-lane highways.

I'm sure some of this has changed (since when I lived there the license was a piece of paper, cheaply laminated).

 

Yep, I used to teach people how to drive ambulances. In Virginia the right-of-way goes as follows: 1. Federal Gov't Vehicles 2. Emergency Vehicles w/ lights & siren active 3. Tractors & agricultural equipment 4. Privately owned vehicles.

An old "riddle" for lack of a better term we used to use in EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) was this: An ambulance, fire truck, police car (all with lights & siren), and a mail truck all approach a 4 way intersection at the same time. Who has the right-of-way? As crazy as it seems, the mail truck has the right of way, but they most often do yield to the emergency vehicle.

 

The mail truck thing isn't true:

http://www.snopes.com/autos/law/fourway.asp

 

Here in Germany, you can get your license with 18. You have to take a grueling theoretical and practical exam coupled with driving lessons. All in all, the whole process will drain your bank account of 1500 Euros or so. It is possible to transfer a US license to a full German license if you have a DL from states such as Georgia. For California DLs (as in my case) this doesn't seem to be possible. I haven't looked into the reason since I can't afford a car here in Germany and Cologne's public transportation gets me where I need to go.

There are some changes in the works which may lower the age from 18 to 16. This is being looked at by the German gov't.

 

Both Adults and Teenagers alike should not be able to use phones period you can single anyone out. The reason I see it being like this is usualy government are made up of adults and they dont want to pass a law that does not benefit them.

 

Well, of course its not a regular license. It's a "hardship" license, and from what I understand hes only supposed to drive to and back from school.

 

I remember I drove my grandpa's OLD truck when I was 12 or 13, and never had a problem. I of course didnt go driving around public highways though... like other people around here where I live!! lol

 

I do believe that federal Vehicles do have right-of-way. Along with driving a volunteer abmulance for 10 years I also used to drive trucks as a civillian employee of the U.S. Marine Corps. I am fairly certain that federal vehicles do have right-of-way to reduce the amount of liability that the Gov't would carry in its daily operations. I may be able to call the drivers training branch at my old office and find out more on Monday.

 

dang. the old people are the worst drivers bann them.. atleast it didnt hit michigan.. im all for this... but if your going to bann anyone bann anyone over 55+ dont take out the accdients on the phone on teens... there usually the best drivers ... after like 2 years of driving......... ok.. mabe its a good law but bann the REALLY OLD PEOPLE.... there old.... and old.... and old... and ill stop now.