If Virginia lawmakers have it their way, if you're under 18, driving and talking on your cell phone could be a thing of the past.
A bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate Transportation Committee Thursday, January 21st prohibiting teenagers from talking on their cell phones and driving.
Some teenagers think this law is not only unfair, but also dangerous.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. If I'm driving to Richmond or something and need to call my mom to tell her I’m okay, I would have to pull off the road, which is even more dangerous,” said one Charlottesville High School student.
“I don’t think we need it," commented another. "If there were a lot of accidents because of people on cell phones, then we would, but I don’t think it needs to be banned.”
Other teenagers see the lawmakers' point.
“I don’t think anyone should drive and talk on a cell phone. It’s dangerous. I don’t do it, so I don’t mind if it’s banned,” pronounced one teenage girl.
“I guess I see why they would do it. I think they should make people use the headphones instead of physically holding the phone. That would be good,” suggested another.
Cell phone companies say this law singles out talking on the phone among many other distractions such as eating or putting on makeup. AAA agrees, up to a point.
In a statement to CBS 19, they said, “Cell phones are not necessarily the problem. The conversations on the cell phones are. But this is just one facet of the multiple distractions out there. But we support anything that will eliminate or reduce distractions on the road. We applaud the lawmakers and urge them to make this a law.”
Lawmakers say there have been studies that show teenagers’ brains aren't developed enough to be good at multi-tasking.
