WASHINGTON-The National Transportation Safety Board has urged states to prohibit inexperienced teenage drivers from using cell phones while they are learning how to operate motor vehicles.
“An average of more than 120 young people die every week in vehicle crashes in this country. It’s a tragedy that repeats itself in every city and community, and it has to stop,” said Mark V. Rosenker, acting NTSB chairman. “We must do everything we can to reduce these needless deaths, and we strongly believe that banning wireless communications devices for teenagers learning to drive will help significantly.”
At a public meeting yesterday, the NTSB added restricting wireless communications devices for young learners to its “most wanted list” of transportation safety improvements. NTSB said highway crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds.
In recent years, various states have enacted laws banning novice drivers from using cell phones-including those with hands-free devices-while behind the wheel.
The cell-phone industry largely is opposed to state laws banning drivers from having cell-phone conversations on the road, favoring education over legislation. The industry also argues most states already have reckless driving laws on the books.
On a related front, The Orlando Sentinel reported the parents of two young girls killed when a then-22-year-old-woman’s sport utility vehicle allegedly ran a red light have settled a civil lawsuit. The SUV driver allegedly was talking on a cell phone when the accident occurred.
The newspaper said the civil suit settlement is different from a criminal case prosecutors have lodged against Ashley Townsend, who is now 23. A trial is scheduled for mid-December.
