Search the ArchivesNavigation Contact InformationThe Citizen Newspapers For Advertising Information Email us your news! For technical difficulties |
Youth Council takes stand on cellphone banFri, 01/30/2009 - 3:45pm
By: John Munford
Bill would outlaw cellphone use for drivers under 18 
The Youth Council Serving Fayette County is asking legislators to put a halt on a potential law that would ban all cellphone use for drivers under 18. The volunteer board voted unanimously earlier this month to send a letter containing that request to the sponsors of the bill including the chief sponsor Rep. Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City. The letter expresses several concerns, including whether the bill would be applied to teens operating golf carts. Another issue is whether some teems would try to hide their phones while driving which could cause the same type of accidents the bill seeks to prevent. Ramsey met with the Youth Council earlier this year on the issue and explained his rationale for introducing the bill. Ramsey contends that studies have shown cellphones are the number one distraction for teen drivers, and distracted drivers are the number one cause of auto accidents. Ramsey’s proposal would forbid any cellphone use among drivers under 18, even if they use a hands-free device. Violators face a $175 fine and a one-point license deduction for a first offense and a $500 fine and a two-point reduction for additional offenses. Also, any driver found at fault in a motor vehicle crash while using a cellphone would receive a mandatory 90-day license suspension. Ramsey last year had a brush with just such a distracted teen driver when he was driving on Peachtree Parkway south of Booth Middle School. He was able to drive in the median to escape the car, which had crossed into his lane while the teenage driver was using a cellphone. Ramsey suggests teens could simply pull over in a safe place to make a cellphone call instead of talking while driving. Another issue is how the law will be enforced by police. Fayette County Sheriff Wayne Hannah thinks such citations might be issued after a deputy has pulled someone over for another traffic violation, as it will be difficult for a deputy to look at a driver and determine their age. Ramsey has said he is looking into a statewide ban on text messaging for drivers of all ages. A similar ban on all cellphone use for all drivers does not have enough support in the legislature this year, he said. Ramsey said he appreciated the Youth Council’s position on the issue. “I’m glad they’re involved, that’s good to hear,” Ramsey said. login to post comments
|
Copyright 2010 - Fayette Publishing, Inc. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use Policy
Server 4
