NC Teens Ignore Mobile Phone Driving Ban

A study has found that incidents of North Carolina teens talking on cell phones while driving have actually increased since a band was introduced.

In December 2006, North Carolina introduced a ban on using cell phones while driving, in the hope that teens – the worst offenders – would put their cells down in the car. However, a study shows that hasn’t been the case – more teens have been observed using their phones while driving than before the ban, up from 11% to 12%. The observations were made as they left school in the afternoon. About 2% were reportedly dialing or texting as they drove.

Drivers and parents support the ban, but they claim it’s not being enforced, with the majority saying enforcement was almost nonexistent.

Anne McCartt, senior vice president of research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said:

"Cellphone bans for teen drivers are difficult to enforce. Drivers with phones to their ears are not hard to spot, but it is nearly impossible for police officers to see hands-free devices or correctly guess how old drivers are."