Teenage driver cell ban proposed

Ran on Thursday, July 26, 2007

Teenage driver cell ban proposed
Lawmakers: Eyes should be on road

By Leader-Telegram staff and The Associated Press

Many parents admonish their teenage children not to talk on their cell phones while driving.
The state of Wisconsin may order them not to if a bill introduced Wednesday in the Legislature passes.
"I'll use it once in a while," Eau Claire 18-year-old Liz Cattau said. "I use it to text."
"Texting" is sending short messages composed of words to another phone, which requires typing the letters into the message area.
"I know it's not safe," Cattau said, but she does it anyway.
However, if the law were to pass, she said she would most likely stop using her phone while driving.
Cattau said she keeps her cell phone in her cup holder so she doesn't have to rummage around the car to find it when she needs it.
Kira Hefty, also 18 and of Eau Claire, said she knows it's risky, but she uses her phone to make calls.
"I'll use it when my friends call or to call my friends," Hefty said.
Talking while driving diverts attention from the road to the phone, something some lawmakers want inexperienced drivers to avoid.
Cindy Beaupre of Menomonie has two teenage drivers. Both, Jessica, 18, and Michael, 17, have cell phones and use them when they drive.
"It's probably a good idea to make it illegal," Cindy Beaupre said. "They're not experienced drivers, and there are already other distractions."
Those distractions include arguments over the phone, music and friends in the car, she said.
Michael Beaupre said he uses the phone to call friends and also to let his family know where he is and where he's going. Unlike Cattau who said she would stop, he does not think he would.
"I know driving is dangerous, and some people can not pay attention," he said. "I think I'd keep calling; I'd be fine."
Nick Schroeder of Durand, who has a 16-year-old daughter behind the wheel, thinks phones should be put down while driving because talking and driving is not safe.
"I really don't think (teenagers) should be using phones (while driving)," Schroeder said. "Or anyone, for that matter."
State Rep. Jerry Petrowski, R-Marathon, agrees.
Petrowski has proposed many unsuccessful attempts to limit drivers' cell phone use in Wisconsin.
Legislation to ban all drivers from using cell phones did not even get a hearing in 1997 and 1999. The teen driving restriction has been introduced every session since 2001 but has failed to pass despite no opposition from cell phone companies.
"We believe this bill is a good idea," said Mike McDermott, Verizon Wireless's executive director for state public policy. "Certainly we believe it makes sense for beginning drivers to devote their full attention to driving."