Teens banned from using cell phones while driving
NORTH EUGENE - Hey teenagers? Got a new cell phone for Christmas? Well, before you drive to your buddy's house to show it off you better hang up!
Starting New Years day chatting and driving will be a thing of years past. A new law aims to keep the roads safe by banning cell phones from teen drivers.
These teenagers say just about everyone they know has a cell phone. They say about all of them use a phone behind the wheel. But not for long. Starting January 1st teenagers with a provisional license under the age of 18 will not be allowed to use a mobile device while driving.
George Doddington with the Oregon Driving Traning Institute says, "We're really worried about their focus and how they assess risk."
This means cell phones, voice mail, text messaging, walkie talkie's, and even hands free phones like a blue tooth are all out of the question. Officials say this new law is to help the less experienced drivers because even the slightest distraction can change a person from a good driver into a reckless one.
Sergeant Lang Hinkle with the Oregon State Police says, "At 60 miles per hour it takes the average person a second and a half to recognize a problem. We don't want someone to recognize that problem in the middle of a text message.
But let's be honest. Teens aren't the only ones who chat behind the wheel. Adults are just as guilty. OSP admits it will also be a challenge to determine a driver's age. Sgt Hinkle says, "We have to have probable cause in order to make stops like that."
So if a teen is pulled over for a separate offense but is also using a cell phone, that's when they'll be slapped with a 97 dollar fine. While these teens we talked to don't seem too hung up on the future hang up, officials can only hope safer driving will be a new years resolution for all who share the road.
Also starting Tuesday, the state of Washington will ban all drivers from texting while driving.
Starting New Years day chatting and driving will be a thing of years past. A new law aims to keep the roads safe by banning cell phones from teen drivers.
These teenagers say just about everyone they know has a cell phone. They say about all of them use a phone behind the wheel. But not for long. Starting January 1st teenagers with a provisional license under the age of 18 will not be allowed to use a mobile device while driving.
George Doddington with the Oregon Driving Traning Institute says, "We're really worried about their focus and how they assess risk."
This means cell phones, voice mail, text messaging, walkie talkie's, and even hands free phones like a blue tooth are all out of the question. Officials say this new law is to help the less experienced drivers because even the slightest distraction can change a person from a good driver into a reckless one.
Sergeant Lang Hinkle with the Oregon State Police says, "At 60 miles per hour it takes the average person a second and a half to recognize a problem. We don't want someone to recognize that problem in the middle of a text message.
But let's be honest. Teens aren't the only ones who chat behind the wheel. Adults are just as guilty. OSP admits it will also be a challenge to determine a driver's age. Sgt Hinkle says, "We have to have probable cause in order to make stops like that."
So if a teen is pulled over for a separate offense but is also using a cell phone, that's when they'll be slapped with a 97 dollar fine. While these teens we talked to don't seem too hung up on the future hang up, officials can only hope safer driving will be a new years resolution for all who share the road.
Also starting Tuesday, the state of Washington will ban all drivers from texting while driving.
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