Teenagers, Cell Phones and the Law

Following a legal trend from around the nation, the North Carolina Senate has finalized legislation to ban teenagers from operating cars while talking on cell phones.

Starting December 1, 2006, teenagers may be fined $25 and get a six month extension of their “learner’s permit” if they are caught driving and talking.

Seems like a pretty good concept to me, but the law does not allow the use of a speaker phone or headset. That’s pretty restrictive and I think it goes too far. I think I would go crazy if I could not use my phone in the car. I also think I’d be upset if I could not call my 17 year old nephew while he was out and about the town.

Let’s face it, cell phones are a part of life, and sometimes a necessary one.

The law does allow the following calls: Exceptions. – The provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall not apply if the use of a mobile telephone is for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician’s office, or health clinic; a public or privately owned ambulance company or service; a fire department; or a law enforcement agency.

What do you think?