Pantagraph.com | News | Laws target teen drivers' cell phone use

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

To: Unfair Targets - who is probably a teenager wrote on Sep 11, 2007 10:17 AM:

" So, you think you're old enough to drive and talk on the phone at the same time? I sure don't! Especially when it never occurred to you to pull over, and then answer the phone. Or pull over and call back whoever it was that just called you. "

To: JD wrote on Sep 11, 2007 10:16 AM:

" Actually, there IS a way to prove if someone was talking on their cell while driving. Ever hear of checking the call history? "

Good!! wrote on Sep 11, 2007 10:15 AM:

" Kids that just received their license have no business texting or talking on their cell while driving. When I first read the article, I thought "They should make this law apply to everyone!" But then I realized that wouldn't be fair to the people that know to pay attention to the road first, and their conversation second. Some people can drive just fine while talking on their cellphone. But it's completely aggravating when you get stuck behind a moron driving 10mph under the speed limit because they're too engrossed in their conversation on the phone. Or when a driver almost causes an accident because they were on the phone and didn't bother to stop for a red light or stop sign, or the conversation is so good they start drifting over into another lane and don't notice. Let's think of it this way: If you cannot walk and chew gum at the same time, then you probably shouldn't be talking on your cellphone while driving! "

Liza wrote on Sep 10, 2007 11:13 PM:

" Face it people, it is both genders and of all ages. Cops should target ALL people on cell phones. Once you get out of Liv. Co. you will see men on the phone doing business just as much as you see the women gossiping on the phone. "

hurray wrote on Sep 10, 2007 9:26 PM:

" there should also be a law that the spoiled little brats pay for their own cell phones and bills. "

I know who it is wrote on Sep 10, 2007 9:02 PM:

" Girls are always the ones on cell phones. Seriously. They cant live without gossiping. When you drive, look at how many women in their Suburbans are on the cell phone compared to men. "

Doh wrote on Sep 10, 2007 2:48 PM:

" A small fine won't stop people from texting while driving. Losing their license also won't stop them from texting while driving because people will break the law and drive without a license. The only way to stop people from texting while driving is to Cut off their thumbs on a first offense. Try texting without thumbs. "

Alexander Graham Bell wrote on Sep 10, 2007 12:42 PM:

" Hey Arnold !!! Why don't you send the bill to Verizon Wireless INpulse Return Policy and Important Information Department. "

Where to start? wrote on Sep 10, 2007 12:09 PM:

" To JD's comment - "many people are able to use their cell phones and drive just fine." Yes, and some people say that about driving under the influence, too. And in the article- "another example of government meddling into citizens' private behavior" - Huh? Private behavior? How is this private behavior? Not if you are on a public road, endangering others! And where is everone getting the "losing their license forever" idea? One extremist suggests it in a blog, and suddenly everyone thinks it is part of the proposed legislation! "

To:To:JD wrote on Sep 10, 2007 12:06 PM:

" I am one of those minivan mommies, and I do not use the phone while driving at all. I hand it off to my kid to answer. "

umm wrote on Sep 10, 2007 11:07 AM:

" let's think about this...Illinois is one of the few states around that don't allow tinted windows. If someone does have their windows tinted, how in the world is a cop going to know if they're on the phone, texting, reading a book, etc... This is a novel idea in theory, but not practical. "

To: JD wrote on Sep 10, 2007 10:25 AM:

" Have you ever heard of telephone records? I believe the time and date of the ticket is recorded. All the police officer would have to do is compare that to the person's telephone records to prove the phone was in use at the time of the ticket. I do agree with those that say that this law should apply to all drivers. "

fairness wrote on Sep 10, 2007 9:59 AM:

" Not just teens, its those 30 -65 year old mini van mommies that can sure be inattentive as well ! "

not just teens wrote on Sep 10, 2007 9:28 AM:

" this needs to be a law for everyone. Had someone almost run me off the road the other day because they paid more attention to their phone then driving. Good thin knowone was trying to cross the road at that moment as well. "

Ann wrote on Sep 10, 2007 9:09 AM:

" Why just pick on 16 year old drivers? I see people putting on makeup, drinking coffee or soft drinks and what else. It should apply to all drivers. "

Dr. Orangutan Chief Cardiologist Miller Park Zoo wrote on Sep 10, 2007 8:38 AM:

" Read my lips. What new on the horizon? The inner cranial implant phone. Ill be back. "

Tell me again.... wrote on Sep 10, 2007 8:35 AM:

" why we NEED this law. I am sure there are plenty of people out there on the phone while they drive, I know I am sometimes. We're targeting teens because....?To lose your license FOREVER for talking on your phone while driving seems a bit severe to me since there are many other offenses that don't get that sentence.To Todd the Bod - hmmmmm, I am pretty sure you were once a teenager who drove, and no one took that priviledge from you, so why are you so eager to do that to them?Also, just what do you think you can do to them that won't land you in jail?I will just keep trying to drive defensively, watching out for everyone, not just the ones on the phone, because believe me, there are plenty of drivers out there NOT on the phone who scare me as well. "

Catfishmark wrote on Sep 10, 2007 7:53 AM:

" Make talking on a cell phone while driving illegal for drivers of all ages! I estimate eight or nine of the last 10 times I've had to take evasive action, or prepare to take evasive action, while driving due to vehicles veering into my lane or starting to pull out in front of me were because the other driver had a cell phone up to his or her ear. "

reader wrote on Sep 10, 2007 7:02 AM:

" Law needs to be for all idiots that talk on the cell phone while driving. "

The need for a law wrote on Sep 10, 2007 6:51 AM:

" says a lot for the shape we're in right now. People shouldn't use electronic devices while driving because it's dangerous, not because it's the law. That goes for any activity on the part of the driver, except for DRIVING!! Get off the freakin phone and drive, so we ALL get to where we're going safely. The law isn't going to stop the use of electronic devices while driving, people need to stop the use. The only way the law can stop the use is, if you're caught (no matter who you are), you lose your license..... FOREVER. "

Don't... wrote on Sep 10, 2007 6:32 AM:

" be late and you won't have a phone call asking where you are. "

Todd the Bod wrote on Sep 10, 2007 6:14 AM:

" Just another reason why teens shouldn't be driving. If a teen with a cell phone ever hits me what happened to his car will be the least of his worries. "

Unfair Targets wrote on Sep 10, 2007 12:31 AM:

" Stop picking on people too young to be able to vote you out of office. Give teens another excuse for breaking curfew - "I couldn't pick up the phone when you called to check up on me because I was driving." "

JD wrote on Sep 9, 2007 7:55 PM:

" There is no way to prove someone was using their cell phone, unless it is up to their ear or the officer sees them texting with their phones in a visible area of the car. So basically, a law like this would just choke up the already overburdened courts with officers having to prove how they know the person was texting, etc. Not to mention that many people are able to use their cell phones and drive just fine. Do we really need yet another law which penalizes people for the actions of the minority of the population? "

why? wrote on Sep 9, 2007 6:24 PM:

" Why stop at teens? Every state in the nation should have a law that says, unless it is an emergency, you need to pull over to make a call. Do I always do this? No. However, it is still a good idea. Hnag up the damn phone and drive "

Bravo wrote on Sep 9, 2007 6:11 PM:

" I like this law it should also include women who drive under the age of 91 ! "

The law needs~~ wrote on Sep 9, 2007 5:43 PM:

" To be for all, not just teens. "