sacramento -- Citing a fistful of studies that show teenagers among the most distracted and dangerous of drivers, the state Assembly on Monday passed a bill that would prohibit drivers under the age of 18 from using a cellphone, pager, text-messaging device or laptop while driving.
The bill passed by a 62-5 vote, with Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (R-Cathedral City) noting that teenagers make up 6% of licensed drivers but 16% of auto accident fatalities.
"On average we are losing 17 kids a day across the United States due to fatalities in which distraction was involved," Garcia said.
The bill, previously approved by the state Senate, goes back there for expected final approval of amendments before it is placed on the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has not decided yet whether he will sign or veto it, officials said.
Opponents of the measure, including Assemblyman Alan Nakanishi (R-Lodi), saw it as another effort at creating a "nanny government."
"The parents should have the responsibility, not the state," he said. "There are other things like CDs that are also an issue and it's very difficult to enforce this law."
Opponents also said there already are laws to prevent distracted and unsafe driving.
Assemblyman Jim Silva (R-Huntington Beach) said he voted against the bill because he has used a hands-free cellphone in his car for more than a decade and does not think it is a distraction.
"I feel that for a young person who is driving, who is responsible, that wouldn't be a distraction either," Silva said.
The legislation was introduced by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who cited a 2001 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that said 16-year-old drivers have a crash rate five times greater than 18-year-olds and almost 10 times greater than drivers between 30 and 59.
Research by Ford Motor Co. found that teen drivers were four times more distracted than adult drivers when each used a cellphone while driving, he said.
Simitian said the National Transportation Safety Board recently put a cellphone ban for young drivers on its "Most Wanted" list of safety recommendations to states.
"I introduced this bill for one simple reason: It will save lives," said Simitian.
"Year after year, car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers. The young drivers who are using cellphones, pagers and PDAs while driving are putting not only themselves at risk, but all of us as well."
