Teen Drivers Ignoring Cell Phone Bans
“The survey that asked parents and teenagers by phone about the ban, showed that teenage drivers were more likely than parents to say they knew about it: only 39 per cent of parents said they were aware of the new law compared with 64 per cent of teenage drivers.”
I worry when I see evidence of complacency by parents of teenagers. If the law had been that your 2-year-old child needed to be in a double strapped car seat, most parents would know and comply. When our kids get older, we are not only handing over the responsibility of complying with driving laws, but we are also handing over the responsibility to even know what those laws are. Some of that responsibility still remains with us, the parents. When teaching independence there needs to be checks and balances. You need to check(find out what the laws are, establish your rules) and balance(talk to your teen and follow through with your discipline). In order to find out what the driving laws are for your teen, visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website.
Lest you feel I sound too much like the expert and not enough like a real mom, let me share that my oldest answered her cell phone while driving home from her license test. Her reason? It rang. My wonderful-but-often-too-lenient-husband was flabbergasted. For a man who doesn’t like to do ‘the talks’ in our home, he certainly did a fine job that day. Our family rule: Turn off the cell phone before starting the car.
What are your thoughts? What rules have you established with your teen driver? Share in the comments section.
Comments
[thanks]… Good article though. I have teenage step-daughters and I know that they are on their phones constantly while driving. I have told their dad but he doesn’t say anything to them.
I live in New York. It is illegal for anyone to talk on a handheld cellphone while driving. My daughter will be 16 in January and eligible for a learners permit. I have a headset in my car and the kids see me using it if I must use the phone while driving. We are waiting for a proposed law to be passed that will ban texting while driving as well.
This is a great law! How can I find out in which states teens are not allowed to use cell phones?
I don’t have my kids turn off the cell phone in the car, even though none of them yet have a driver’s license, still in the permit phase, because they forget to turn them back on, and I freak out when I am unable to reach them. Instead I got some 30 test fishing line, braided 12 pieces together and attached the phone to the keys. It is not possible to answer the phone without pulling over and stopping the car, and this also comes in handy when keys are misplaced — just call them and follow the ring.
I don’t have my kids turn off their cell phones in the car, because they forget to turn them back on when they get to their destination and I freak when I can’t get in touch with them. Instead I got 30 test fishing line, braided several together and attached the phone to the keys. It is not possible to answer the phone without pulling over and stopping the car. It also comes in handy when keys are lost – just call them and follow the ring.
Great Article – and sadly surprising! Parents of teens need to step up and take responsibility – learn the laws and take the time to teach their teens how to be a safe driver. Life is precious – don’t take a chance with your teen! Here is a link to a site that lists each states cell phone driving laws: http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.htmls
I live in western NY, where a little over a year ago in 2007 5 girls lost their lives in one fiery crash believed to be the result of texting while driving, at 55 miles per hour. If anyone has any doubts about how dangerous cell phone use is during driving please see the story at abcnews.com:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3379012