Cell-phone ban targets wrong age

To the editor:

In response to one of the numerous articles on cell-phone limitations while driving, I disagree with this action toward teenagers. While some laws and limitations are better suited toward a younger age demographic, this is one that is not.

Take away the cell-phone issue and almost anyone between the ages of 16 and 55 years old would agree that people in the retired age group of 62-plus should be tested more on their skills in order to receive and maintain a driver's license due to their slower reaction time. With this stated, why should they be allowed to drive and talk on a cell phone while they already have slower reaction time when a teenager, with quicker reaction time, shouldn't be?

As far as the argument concerning the amount of emotion involved in a phone conversation affecting the attentiveness of the driver, this is absurd. Are we to believe that speaking on a cell phone is more distracting then speaking with someone in the car?

I don't want the government getting involved with the way I carry on a conversation with someone any more than they already are. However, if they do choose to ban cell-phone usage while driving, targeting younger drivers is not only unfair, but it is also the wrong age group to target.

JEREMY TOWNSEND, Cape Girardeau