■ 24 January 2012 | 5:02 PM
Senate approves bill to curb teen drivers' cell phone use
Teen drivers who use cell phones while operating a vehicle can now be ticketed for that behavior if police stop them for another offense.
A bill that cleared the Virginia Senate today would tighten the restriction on cell phone use by provisional license holders, meaning authorities could stop them simply for using their phone while operating a vehicle.
Speaking in support of the measure, Fairfax County Democratic Sen. George Barker called his SB 210 a good way to protect teen drivers and improve overall road safety.
The cell phone prohibition in his proposal would apply to teen drivers younger than 18 with provisional licenses.
Barker's legislation was approved by the Senate on a 30-10 vote. Similar legislation from Barker has previously cleared that body only to fail in the House of Delegates.
One lawmaker who expressed concerns about it was Sen. Charles "Bill" Carrico, a former state trooper who questioned how police officers would visually determine a driver's age when deciding whether to stop them for cell phone use.
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why limit to teenagers?
Generally, I am for less government, but that means that individuals need to act responsibly. If the large majority did the right thing and did not talk on cell phones, or do other distracting things while driving, then those in government would not feel compelled to create another law.
But, if you are going to do a law re: driving and cell phones, it should be for everyone.
A Good Start
lets target the Adult also, who should know better. Let's fact it, the driving in the Norfolk area is pretty bad. We don't need additional distractions. Cell Phones and driving is not a good idea !