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DEL.ICIO.USHang up and drive! Proposal would target teen drivers on cell phones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear readers: I really hope you all read this story last week by my colleague, AJC reporter John Hollis. If not, here’s an excerpt:
If a state lawmaker from Peachtree City has his way, teens found using their cell phones while driving could lose their licenses. When the General Assembly convenes later this month, Rep. Matt Ramsey plans on introducing legislation that would make it illegal for drivers under 18 to talk, text, e-mail or instant message on their phones while operating a vehicle.
If the bill becomes law, violators would face a fine of $175 and the addition of a point on their license on their first offense, and a $500 fine and two points to their license with a second offense. Those found to be using their phones at the time of an accident would receive an automatic 90-day suspension of their licenses and a six-month license suspension for a second such infraction.Exemptions would be allowed for calls seeking to summon emergency help, prevent injury or report illegal activity.
Who can argue with this? Doesn’t it make perfect sense. The only thing anybody, teens or adults, should be doing while driving is….driving! No talking on cellphones, no texting and no getting involved in heated discussions with a passenger. Isn’t paying attention to the road what we were all taught? But I’ll add a little something to this topic.
What if your kid, friend or relative wasn’t caught by the police, but by you? Maybe you passed your kid/friend/relative on the street and saw him/her gabbing away on the cellphone. What kind of personal punishment would you impose? I’d probably take away the car and cellphone. Nothing like a double whammy to get your point across.
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