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Grand Junction High School student Richard Gonzales demonstrates texting on a cell phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Some adults and teenagers will have to change the way they drive beginning next month because of a new law, which officials hope will help save countless lives.
Starting Dec. 1, it will be a primary offense to text on a cellular phone while driving a vehicle. Also, anyone under age 18 cannot talk or text on the phone while driving.
“It's dangerous for anyone, but teenagers especially, because they don't have the driving experience, and adding the distractions makes it more dangerous,” said Heather Halpape, public relations manager for safety programs with the Colorado Department of Transportation.
According to www.coteendriver.com, distraction from hand-held or hands-free cell phone use while driving delays a driver's reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
While driving and talking on a cell phone with a Bluetooth device remains legal for licensed drivers over 18 years old, some authorities believe that doing so is just as dangerous as texting.
“Even with Bluetooth you don't have your full attention on the road,” said Grand Junction High School Police Department Officer Cameron Dole.
And with more than 800,000 vehicles being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone in 2008, according to the National Safety Council, there seems to be numerous opportunities for accidents.
In Colorado last year, 48 people between the ages of 15 and 20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes. That was down 57 percent when compared with the 112 individuals who died in 2002.
Some people credit the percentage drop to the Graduated License Law. The law restricts the number of passengers allowed in a car, sets a curfew and also requires seat belts for a teen who has recently received a driver's license.
But teens are often skeptical when it comes to changing their ways and many think they can work around the texting law.
“People are going to do it anyway and they'll just set their phones down when the cops drive by,” said 17 year-old Grand Junction High School senior Angelina Lassak.
Other Grand Junction High School students echoed those sentiments.
“I think (the law) is useful because we haven't been driving for very long, but I'll still do (text and talk) because I've been doing it since I started driving,” said 17-year-old senior Jesse Stine.
While some people under 18 do not agree with the change, Halpape believes once the habit is broken, teens will understand the dangers of using cell phones while behind the wheel.
“Hopefully, teens will follow the law. Sometimes you have to accept that something is a good idea. As they become adults they will realize how dangerous talking and texting while driving really is.”
Although talking and texting on the phone has become commonplace for most drivers, there are individuals who see the law change as a positive thing.
“I think it's a good law because your phone is a big distraction when you're driving, and it will save people from dying,” said 17 year-old Grand Junction High School junior Gillian McLean.
Parents feel the same way.
“I wish this law would have been implemented when my kids were under 18,” said Lori McClaskey, a mother of three.
She added, “I've even texted while I was driving so now that it's illegal maybe it'll keep me in check.”
Those who are caught will be fined $50 for their first offense and $100 for their second.
While many people, teens especially, see driving and using the phone as an easy task, Halpape warns that it is much more risky than expected.
“You think you can do both at the same time, but driving takes special skills and it only takes one or two seconds to crash and kill somebody,” Halpape said.
Starting Dec. 1, it will be a primary offense to text on a cellular phone while driving a vehicle. Also, anyone under age 18 cannot talk or text on the phone while driving.
“It's dangerous for anyone, but teenagers especially, because they don't have the driving experience, and adding the distractions makes it more dangerous,” said Heather Halpape, public relations manager for safety programs with the Colorado Department of Transportation.
According to www.coteendriver.com, distraction from hand-held or hands-free cell phone use while driving delays a driver's reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
While driving and talking on a cell phone with a Bluetooth device remains legal for licensed drivers over 18 years old, some authorities believe that doing so is just as dangerous as texting.
“Even with Bluetooth you don't have your full attention on the road,” said Grand Junction High School Police Department Officer Cameron Dole.
And with more than 800,000 vehicles being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone in 2008, according to the National Safety Council, there seems to be numerous opportunities for accidents.
In Colorado last year, 48 people between the ages of 15 and 20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes. That was down 57 percent when compared with the 112 individuals who died in 2002.
Some people credit the percentage drop to the Graduated License Law. The law restricts the number of passengers allowed in a car, sets a curfew and also requires seat belts for a teen who has recently received a driver's license.
But teens are often skeptical when it comes to changing their ways and many think they can work around the texting law.
“People are going to do it anyway and they'll just set their phones down when the cops drive by,” said 17 year-old Grand Junction High School senior Angelina Lassak.
Other Grand Junction High School students echoed those sentiments.
“I think (the law) is useful because we haven't been driving for very long, but I'll still do (text and talk) because I've been doing it since I started driving,” said 17-year-old senior Jesse Stine.
While some people under 18 do not agree with the change, Halpape believes once the habit is broken, teens will understand the dangers of using cell phones while behind the wheel.
“Hopefully, teens will follow the law. Sometimes you have to accept that something is a good idea. As they become adults they will realize how dangerous talking and texting while driving really is.”
Although talking and texting on the phone has become commonplace for most drivers, there are individuals who see the law change as a positive thing.
“I think it's a good law because your phone is a big distraction when you're driving, and it will save people from dying,” said 17 year-old Grand Junction High School junior Gillian McLean.
Parents feel the same way.
“I wish this law would have been implemented when my kids were under 18,” said Lori McClaskey, a mother of three.
She added, “I've even texted while I was driving so now that it's illegal maybe it'll keep me in check.”
Those who are caught will be fined $50 for their first offense and $100 for their second.
While many people, teens especially, see driving and using the phone as an easy task, Halpape warns that it is much more risky than expected.
“You think you can do both at the same time, but driving takes special skills and it only takes one or two seconds to crash and kill somebody,” Halpape said.
