Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Kids and Cell Phones

Our government spends months arguing over a ridiculous health care bill, worries about giving money to the auto industry, 10 million for mice studies, and blah blah blah.  Why aren't they spending time and worry about real issues at hand....like kids driving cars while texting and talking on the phone, kids sitting in class texting in their purses or pockets instead of listening to their teachers, kids dying and causing accidents because of these cell phones!!!!!

Yesterday I was in my car sitting at a stoplight, when in the lane next to me a young girl blows by me on her cell phone and runs the red light!!! Last week I was driving down the hill on 96 and the car infront of me was swerving all over.  They got in the right lane and I went into the left lane to turn on the stop sign, I looked over and he was texting! That's why he was swerving all over. Two months ago a 17 year old boy was killed on a curve in our town because he was texting instead of watchin the road.

Why isn't the government working on a law about this cell phone use?!? We have kids dying here and innocent people dying because of these kids and their cell phones.  We have an entire generation not learning in school cuz they are too worried about texting during class. We have kids suffering harrassment from cell phone bullying also.

Here is what I propose to the all mighty U.S. government.....New Law for Cell Phone Use~you must  be 21 years old to own a cell phone!!!  You have to be mature to legally have a beer, why don't you have to be mature to use a cell phone? Driving and talking or texting is just as deadly as driving and drinking.

We have to get our government to see what is happening here, it's a very real problem.  Here are the latest stats and I'm sure the numbers on even higher now with 2009 almost over:

Teen Driver Cell Phone and Text Messaging Statistics


•Despite the risks, the majority of teen drivers ignore cell phone driving restrictions.

•In 2007, driver distractions, such as using a cell phone or text messaging, contributed to nearly 1,000 crashes involving 16- and 17-year-old drivers.

•Over 60 percent of American teens admit to risky driving, and nearly half of those that admit to risky driving also admit to text messaging behind the wheel.

•Each year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of cell phone usage. This result has been expected to grow as much as 4% every year.

•Almost 50% of all drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 are texting while driving.

•Over one-third of all young drivers, ages 24 and under, are texting on the road.

•Teens say that texting is their number one driver distraction.
 
These stats are frightening! Let's write the government, email Obama, call our congressmen and get them to sit up and pay attention to this deadly growing problem.
 
cell phone driving equals drunk driving Pictures, Images and Photos
 

13 comments:

Book Lover said...

I swear I almost get into an accident weekly because texters or people on thier cell phones not paying attention!

Diane said...

i so agree with you. other than to keep in touch with parents to know their whereabouts, i really don't think kids need cell phones.

thanks for stopping by and having the button for the celebration up! i appreciate you spreading the word!

TheFitHousewife said...

I couldn't agree more! I think using a cell phone while driving should be illegal! No matter what age.

More Than Words said...

We have that law here in CA. I'm so glad! No texting allowed either while behind the wheel.

Vickie said...

I so agree with you! My nieces and nephews have cell phones! I never had a cell phone until my late 20s!!

If my test is going off and I am driving I just let it be, if it was important they would actually call me.

Thanks for following. I am following back:)

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

I agree about the kids, but there is no age when you can handle reading and driving at the same time. They are incompatible tasks. There needs to be zero tolerance for texting while driving for anyone. Kids texting in school is a problem for parents, not for the government.

Amy said...

I know teens are just learning to drive why have a cell phone in the mix. They did not have cell phones when I started driving. I did not miss it.

Mrs. M said...

Oh, I so agree. I think everyone needs to stop, especially the younger drivers!

Buckeroomama said...

Unfortunately, it's not just teens who text/use the cell when driving. I see it more here amongst the older set, well, I guess because we don't have that many young drivers around...

Thanks for the follow. :)

Mamahood, Among Other Things…
Kiddie Treasures

Midnite Skys said...

we have a law against texting now after a few dealoth from kids texting and driving. What gets me almost killed weekly is the people on thier cell phones not texting just driving oone handed and talking on the cell phone

Mae Rae said...

I totally agree with your post today. (or the other day as it might be) I saw the PSA from England the other day and thought we should be showing this to EVERY driver on the road. It should be a requirement to renewing your license.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0LCmStIw9E

Rue said...

The crappy drivers aren't the elderly or the newbies anymore. They are the ones on their cellphones. It's a fact. And dangerous!

Matty said...

Good points here. You might see hands free laws, but I don't think there will be outright banning of phones in cars.