Parents, please talk to your kids
Teen texting and driving is a dangerous equation. If you have a teen driver, please take the time to have a chat with them about the use of cell phones when they are driving. Look around the next time you’re driving and see how many kids are talking on their cell phones and operating a motor vehicle.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, texting while driving kills 11 teens per day.
Texting while driving make you 23 times more likely to crash.
Drivers talking on a cell phone are 4 times more likely to have an accident.
2011 it’s estimated that 23% of all car accidents each year involve cell phone use. That’s 1.3 million crashes.
In 2009 5,474 people were killed and 448,000 were injured in accidents involving distracted drivers.
Because of these startling facts, our legislatures passed some laws to help keep our families safer on our Arkansas roadways.
Several Laws were passed in 2009.
Senate Bill 309
Enacted during the 2009 General Assembly, Senate Bill 309 addresses the use of cell phones and new drivers. This bill specifically targets anyone with a learners permit, generally younger drivers. The Law prohibits the use of cell phones by anyone who has a learner’s permit or an intermediate driver’s license. The law makes no exceptions for a hands-free device but does allow for the driver to use a cell phone in the event of an emergency.
Senate Bill 1013
Senate Bill 1013, also known as “Paul’s Law”, makes it illegal to use a cell phone for texting, checking emails, or recovering information from the internet while driving. The law’s primary focus is on wireless which by definition does not include voice transmission. This is Texting at any age.
Senate Bill 28
Enacted in 2009, addresses two specific age groups and the restriction of cell phone use. The first portion prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while driving a vehicile. The law allows drivers over 18, but under 21 years of age to use a cellphone, but the device must be hands-free.
The Law attempts to address concerns that younger drivers already have enough distractions, and don not have the experience to deal with multiple tasks of this type.
Remember…11 kids per day. Let’s talk to our kids before it’s too late.
Thank you and hope you and your Family have a Safe Holiday Season.
Sheriff Mike Allen
PS: There is a great website for learning more and reinforcing it with your kids at www.itcanwait.com.
