The term “teenage driver” is as oxymoronic as “military intelligence.” In fact, it’s probably more accurate to describe newly licensed teens in terms of the moving violations they commit. “Reckless endangerment” comes to mind; as does “criminal negligence,” as in “Criminally negligent Jane caused a 15 car pileup on the interstate because she was steering with her knees while sipping coffee, applying makeup, and calling her boyfriend.”\nIn an attempt to curb the wanton carnage on city streets the Indiana state legislature is discussing a bill that would restrict the licensing of teenage drivers by expanding on the requisite qualifications. Under the new law, teenagers are prohibited from using their cell phones while driving because the practice “can be disruptive of both vehicle control performance on the one hand and situational awareness and judgment on the other” according to the Department of Transportation.\nMany states have already banned the use of cell phones while driving across the board, and most have partial bans. Indiana is long overdue for a similar law that will undoubtedly protect drivers and pedestrians in much the same way DUI laws helped stem drunk driving. In 2005, Indiana contributed 938 of the 43,443 people killed in traffic related fatalities across the nation, according to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Web site, though only 320 (34 percent) were alcohol related. \nCritics argue that the legislation undermines personal freedom, despite a vast appreciation for government-mandated seat belts, motorcycle helmets and stability control in the not-too-distant future. The government has a responsibility to ensure safe roads, and banning cell phones will do just that. However, the proposed law does not go far enough. According to the same Department of Transportation report, “older drivers in general find it more difficult to perform concurrent tasks and process information quickly,” adding, “a cellular phone ... may aggravate age-related problems by introducing a distracting, concurrent task.” The Indiana state legislature ought to vote in unanimous disapproval of reckless driving and work to protect drivers and pedestrians alike by flat-out banning the use of cell phones.
Dissent: Cell Phone Bill \noversteps its bounds\nThe bill to curb cell phone use by teenage drivers, though well-intentioned, is merely another example of a baby-sitter government trying to assert too much power over our lives. Citizens, even ones that are 16 years old, deserve the autonomy to make their own mistakes. If someone is dumb enough to talk on the phone while driving, he or she deserves to take the fall. People don’t hold teenagers as accountable as they are capable of being, therefore, we are producing younger and younger generations of citizens incapable of taking responsibility for themselves. Just like the trans fat restrictions in New York City and the smoking ban here on campus, this proposed bill would be one more step in castrating the formative power of trial and error. It is not the job of the government to protect people from themselves. Without freedom of choice, we will have a lazy, coddled electorate willing to accept authoritarian rule. \n– Grace Low
