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Teens to Lose Cell Privileges While Driving: PUBLIC SAFETY:A Law Taking Effect Sunday Restricts Cell Phone Use for Drivers With Learning Permits or Provisional Licenses Until Age 18.

Posted on: Saturday, 31 December 2005, 15:00 CST

By Jake Weyer, Duluth News-Tribune, Minn., Duluth News-Tribune, Minn.

Dec. 31--For teenagers distracted by phone conversations while driving, flashing lights could become a common sight.

Starting Sunday, it will be illegal for drivers younger than 18 who have learning permits or provisional licenses to talk on a cell phone while operating a moving motor vehicle. Offenders could be fined up to $100 and find their full license delayed.

"We want more teenagers to live through the process of learning to drive," said Kathy Swanson, director of the Office of Traffic Safety, part of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

The new law will turn back the clock for young drivers caught chatting on cell phones, requiring them to start from day one of their permit or provisional license, no matter how far they are in the process.

Once a driver turns 18, the law does not apply and past cell phone offenses will not prevent granting of a full license. Drivers who will be affected most are 15- and 16-year-olds in the late months of their permits or early months of their provisional licenses.

Chad Martin, 16, of Duluth, has his permit and a cell phone, but his mother discourages him from talking and driving. He said the new law is fair because cell phone use causes many accidents.

He tries to stay off his phone in the car.

"I usually try to call someone back after driving," Martin said.

Abby Kneeland, 17, of Duluth, has her provisional license and said the law makes sense, but it might be difficult to obey.

"Especially for young people," she said. "That's how you communicate."

Kneeland turns 18 in February, so not getting her full license isn't much of a concern, but the fine is. Even so, she doesn't plan to put away her phone completely when she gets in the car.

"If I see a cop I'll put my cell phone down," she said. "I'm definitely going to be more aware of it."

Law enforcement officials said inexperienced drivers need to give their full attention to the road and preventing cell phone use is a good way to make that happen. But teens aren't the only ones getting distracted.

"I think cell phone use with all people is a problem, and it's growing," St. Louis County Sheriff Ross Litman said. "I wish there was a law that would cover all people."

Though officers can pull over drivers who are on the phone and look young, most offenses will probably be discovered among erratic drivers, speeders or at accident scenes, Litman said.

Capt. Kent Matthews of the Minnesota State Patrol in Duluth said he doesn't think officers will patrol specifically for cell phone use. Though cell phones can cause problems with older drivers as well, Matthews said the new law is a step in the right direction.

"I'm in favor of laws that protect the most vulnerable," he said.

There are about 400,000 drivers with learning permits or provisional licenses in the state, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

In 2004, drivers ages 16-18 made up less than 5 percent of all those licensed in Minnesota, and inattention and distraction were top reasons for accidents involving young people.

The Department of Public Safety estimates that more than 14,000 people are on cell phones at any given time in the state, something Swanson said should concern everyone.

"Nobody's driving improves when they put a cell phone to their ear," she said.

JAKE WEYER covers Duluth K-12 education. He can be reached weekdays at (218) 723-5342, (800) 456-8282 or by e-mail at jweyer@duluthnews.com.

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Source: Duluth News-Tribune (Duluth, Minn.)

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