Governor Signs Law Preventing Teens From Driving With Phones

LA CRESCENTA, Sept. 13, 2006 (KABC-TV) (KABC) -- The governor signed new restrictions for teen drivers in an effort to keep the most inexperienced drivers safer on the roads.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the legislation Thursday afternoon. The new law bans teens from driving with their cell phones and a few other devices while driving.

Accident statistics are consistently showing that teenage drivers are dangerous to themselves and others, so the governor signed a new law Thursday that attempts to keep a couple of high-tech gadgets out of the hands of young drivers.

It happens every day: drivers paying more attention to their cell phones and text messages than the road in front of them. For teenage drivers, new gadgets are especially beguiling.

"Everyone has a cell phone," said high school student Caroline Prawn.

Do you think it's dangerous to do it?

"I think it is dangerous," said Prawn.

"I think Bluetooth is fine," said high school student Trish Engle. "So many people have a hands-free cell phone right now, I think it's ridiculous to make them not able to use it anymore."

Maybe so, but the accidents are piling up because of teenage driver inattention. Thursday the governor signed SB33 into law. It makes it illegal for provisional drivers under 18 from using their cell phones, even hands-free or texting, while driving. The governor says that's already the law for his teenage daughter.

"I told my daughters, I get you the car, I'll get you the cell phone, but if I see you one time using both at the same time, both of them are gone. The car will be gone for a long time and the phone will be gone for a long time. You'll go to school with the bus," said Governor Schwarznegger.

Many parents aren't that strict. Teens we questioned Thursday said the law will be an easy one to break.

"Nobody's going to follow that. Everybody does it anyway. There's already a law that you can't text message, so nobody's going to follow the not-talking-on-the-phone rule," said Trish Engle.

You just don't think it's enforceable?

"No," said Engle.

California Highway Patrol offices say they will focus on education to make the point of the new law. The fine is only $20 for the first time an offender is caught.

Evan Morrison is now 19, a little older and perhaps a little wiser. He says he sees value in the new law.

"I have one of those hands-free things that I use sometimes when I remember to take it with me," said 19-year-old Pasadena resident Evan Morrison.

You're worried about safety?

"Yeah, usually. I've had a couple of speeding tickets and things like that. So I'm a pretty cautious driver these days," said Morrison.

State Bill 22 takes effect next July along with another new law in California that will make it illegal for adult drivers to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Supporters of both of these bills say after midterm next year, the watchword in California will be 18 and over hands-free, under 18, hands off.

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