Area police discuss cell-phone ban for teen drivers

It's common for Catherine Moreton to hear teenage friends begin explanations for car accidents with sentences like: "Well, I was talking on my cell. ..."

"I've found that whenever I try to talk on my cell phone and drive, I don't have two hands anymore," said Moreton, a 17-year-old incoming senior at Central High School. "I've probably had some close calls myself because of that."

An increase in distraction-related car crashes has prompted state legislatures across the country to enact laws restricting driver cell-phone use, including legislation that targets teens.

Last month, the Illinois Legislature passed a bill that would ban 16- and 17-year-old drivers from talking on cell phones because so many accidents involve distracted young people. Gov. Rod Blagojevich hasn't signed the bill yet but plans to, said spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff.

A similar attempt in Missouri five years ago by former state lawmaker Marsha Campbell of Kansas City created strong public reaction but did not go far in the legislature.

Police opinion

Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Rick Schmidt believes cell phones are high on every law enforcement officers' nuisance list because so many people use them. But he thinks tuning radios, putting on makeup and dealing with a child who dropped a pacifier in the back seat is just as distracting.

"I have kids, and I know that can be a problem," Schmidt said.

Jackson Police Department patrolman Rick Whitaker, who is also Jackson High School's school resource officer, said teen drivers are even more susceptible to distractions than those who have more experience.

"Cell phones rank right up there with eating and putting on makeup. Drivers are likely paying more attention to their cell phone that operating their motor vehicles, and teens need to pay extra close attention to the road," Whitaker said.

The number of Missouri drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 in car crashes is high compared to their numbers, according to the Missouri Division of Highway Safety. The division reports 30 percent of all accidents in Missouri in 2003 involved young people, but those 15- to 20-year-olds represent just 10 percent of the total number of drivers in the state.

Last year in the Division of Highway Safety's Southeast region, around 2,400 accidents were attributed to inattention. Statistics broken down by age group were not available to determine how many of those involved young drivers.

Police officer Schmidt doesn't oppose Missouri adopting a law similar to Illinois' if it has teeth, but said legislation simply banning the use of cell phones while driving isn't likely to prevent motorists from doing so if it isn't classified properly.

"I'm not opposed to a law that would stop cell-phone use, but how is it going to be enforced?" Schmidt said. "Right now we can't stop a car for a seat-belt infraction, even though by law you have to wear a seat belt when you operate a motor vehicle, because it is not a primary offense."

Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Jack Wimp agrees. Wimp, who is in charge of the police traffic division, said passing laws outlawing distractions isn't going to have much effect if police can't stop them when they see it. He said drivers have to discipline themselves to pay more attention to the road, though he believes some people "can't talk and drive at the same time."

"Drivers have to be aware that they are operating a very large piece of equipment that can be dangerous if they're not paying attention," he said.

Staff writer Laura Cianci contributed to this report.

cmiller@semissourian.com

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