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GoogleThose teens caught ignoring the cell phone ban could face a fine of up to $500.
The ban includes the use of any telecommunication devices -- cell phones or pagers, etc.
These young drivers are not to use any type of telecommunication devices while driving, except to call 911 in the case of an emergency.
"I think the state has been working up this for quite a long time. I don't think it's anything new to say the least. For years now, they have been asking on accident report if any electronic device was used during the time of a traffic accident. I think for the most part it makes sense. Adults have a hard time talking on the (cell) phones, let a long a teenager who is not as experienced," Linton Police Chief Troy Jerrell said. "I think it makes sense to give them some time and some years and experience behind the wheel and maybe it will prevent a few accidents."
Jerrell says enforcement will be a challenge, but his officers will uphold the law.
"You have to realize that we have a lot of other things to go after and be involved with besides this," the chief said. "I can't say it's going to be a priority, but it's something that we are going to enforce. It's law and that's what they've passed down and it makes sense. Teenagers probably shouldn't be trying to text message while they are driving down the road."
Jerrell added, "Hopefully, it will slow some accidents down. If we do catch somebody, we will write a citation."
Greene County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Major Mike Hasler agrees the cell phone law is probably a good one.
"We'll enforce whatever we run across," Hasler said. "If we have an incident that would involve that specific situation and the elements of the crime are there, we'll take the action on that. If it for 18 years and below then that is what we will do. I think it ought to apply to all people. That is just another distraction that motorists don't need. You mind gets on the call instead of your driving."
Two other new laws -- effective July 1 -- also affect young drivers.
*For the first 180 days after getting a license, drivers under the age of eighteen may not drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
*After the first 180 days, drivers under the age of 18 may not drive between the hours of 11p.m and 5 a.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
On Friday and Saturday, drivers may not drive between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Driver under the age of 18 may drive at anytime if driving to, and only to the following places: work, school or a religious event. Drivers under the age of 18 may also drive at anytime if, and only if they are accompanied by a person with a valid Indiana driver's license who is 25 years or older.
*Drivers under the age of 18 -- obtaining a license on July 1, 2009 or thereafter -- may not drive with a passenger for the first 180 days after getting the license, unless accompanied by a licensed instructor, an individual with a valid Indiana driver's license who is 25 years or older, or a parent, guardian, or step-parent who is over the age of 21. You are, however, allowed to drive with your child, sibling or spouse during the driving times allowed by the law.
In addition, school bus drivers who fail to make sure all students are off the bus at the end of their routes will be in violation of state law that goes in effect today.
School bus drivers also could face $500 fines if they fail to check for children on board at the end of their routes.
The law arose after three South Bend students were left on school buses last year and a 4-year-old was left alone inside a parked school bus in Richmond earlier this year.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
This law should cover all ages. I am so sick of almost getting hit by some dense person yapping on a cell phone.
It's happen far too many times.
Rant, I agree with you. If anyone is going to use the cell phone or tex-message pull off the road. As it is now they are a danger to all. To many near misses, how many more people need to die before the law changes. CONCERNED
Rant, I agree with you. If anyone is going to use the cell phone or tex-message pull off the road. As it is now they are a danger to all. To many near misses, how many more people need to die before the law changes. CONCERNED
as a biker, cell phones terrify me!
This should be the law for all drivers.
I am someone who averages over a couple of hundred miles a day. I also use to work for the highway so I have seen many bad drivers. Cell phones are just the latest whipping boy but you all are barking up the wrong tree. The most dangerous drivers are the aggressive ones. You know the people that will take all kinds of risk to shave a minute or so off their trip. The one's that treat a trip to work or school like practice for the Indy 500 and yes many teens fit this category. The second most dangerous driver is the elderly. While unlikely to drive aggressively the often become easily confused and will make decisions resulting in accidents.
Banning cell phone use while driving will do little to improve safety, pulling the licenses of wannabe race car drivers will.
Does this include using bluetooth headsets or bluetooth that is built in to cars where the phone call comes through the speakers?
Don't disagree about the cell phones, but with these curfews and waiting periods, etc....what is the need for parents anymore????
With regard to parents, the problem is that the parents aren't doing their jobs that why law like this have to be put in place.
Pulling off the road is okay, as long as the other drivers stay aware and don't ram into you. The highway in general is a scary place to be. We live on a stretch of highway 57, where you can see for a mile; people think, "drag strip" and think they have right to speed up and pass as many cars as possible. I was a passenger in the car my 16 was driving, she was turning Right into our driveway when an over anxious driver decided to pass us; since he was "unable to see us" he swirved right instead left and went through our neighbors yard and our yards almost hitting our vehicle. Luckily my daughter was paying attention to her rearview and saw him coming up on us. What if someone was pulled over on the right to talk on their cell, they would have gotten hit.
The best bet is to use handless devices to speak on a cell phone and texted is just stupid to do while driving...period.
keninman, so far this year I've read your comments supporting drink drivers, pedophiles, and now teenagers who drive recklessly because as new drivers many of them are inexperienced and therefore distracted by their obsessions with cell phones.
Who are you going to rally against next? You've already offended half the population of Greene County with your comments about the elderly. Who's next on the keninman battle royale against the world at large?
Let me guess, WalMart, doctors, attorneys, people who would like to improve our neat city, buildig maintenance and upkeep, democrats, progress, laws to protect people from irresponsible people who burn large bon fires in town?
Oh, yeah...you already have. How sad.
if parents would actually do their jobs there def. wouldnt have to be a law to have kids be home or not drive after certian times. at that age there is nothing to do out past 11 or 12 oclock...usually theres parties and obviously these kids arnt old enough to go to so they should be at home. now i dont agree with having to have a 25 year old ride with you at the age of 21 you are a fully legal adult-no restrictions against you and are able to purchase what ever you wish-an adult! but who knows maybe this law will teach these young drivers to get off the cell phones and quit texting while driving too many people have been killed or nearly died of a crash bc of irresponsible people txting while driving...
It clearly states in the article "drivers UNDER the age of 18"
i thank its stupid if you have hands free then it should be ok and if the kids are taking drivers ed when they turn 15 then when you get your liences then that should be ok they shouldnt have to suffer for 180 days to drive by there self.this is getting to be a commenst state just like the other ones.
I am confused...is it stating that until a driver reaches the age of 18 they can only drive to work, school, or religious events by themselves. If they drive at any other time, they must be accompanied by someone over the age of 25? If I am understanding this...It seems ridiculous. Why even let them have a license at 16? Are they assuming that a 16 year old is safer driving to work, school, or religious event?
Softball Coach...it does seem that way, but actually what I think it is saying is that for the first 180 days after a license is obtained by 16 year old that they must have someone in the care with them 25 years older (and a few older stipulations) if they have someone the same age or younger in the vehicle with them. It has been that way for a while now only it was 90 days, it seems that they have only increased the amount of days and the age. I don't understand raising the age to 25 unless they figure that more teens are friends with 21 year olds these days...but then again that goes back to the responsibility of the parent to insure your 16 isn't hanging out with someone old enough to purchase alcohol...
I don't agree with the cell phone thing much either...I think that hands free should be legal, simply because, what if your child turns down a wrong road or gets lost? They need to call mom or dad to help them find their way out and pulling over doesn't help if your child doesn't know where they are....I don't know about any other parents, but when I try to call my daughter and she doesn't answer I panick..."why isn't she answering?" "Is she in a ditch somewhere?" As long as they are not having long, dramatic converstaions on the phone, hands free is suitable enough. Although I DO understand kids going overboard and texting or being goofy....this causes accidents....And Angel 47427...you mean "communist" state, which we have none in the US so there are "no others"....I think you may be a new driver offended by the new law....and I can see why, but like I would tell my own child, it is only 180 days....
Well said, GreeneCoGirl88