SAN FRANCISCO — Narin Leininger knows about the risks of talking on a cellphone or sending text messages while driving. The 16-year-old high school junior says he would use his phone behind the wheel only in an emergency -- a flat tire, traffic jam or crash.
But if he ever decided to whip out his phone to chat or text with a friend while steering, he wondered, could anyone stop him?
"There's no way a cop could see if you're texting under the steering wheel," said Leininger, a student at San Francisco's Lowell High School.
Still, California and at least 11 other states are considering bills banning teens from using electronic equipment while driving, according to the American Automobile Assn. At least 15 states and the District of Columbia have passed bans.
Supporters say teen-specific regulations -- which generally amend existing laws that apply to everyone, or add provisions to graduated licensing laws for young motorists -- reduce driver distraction and save lives.
Opponents say that they're another example of government meddling into citizens' private behavior -- and that teaching students proper driving skills is a parent's duty, not the state's.
California's bill could land on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk this week. Schwarzenegger, whose daughter turned 16 and began driving last year, hasn't indicated whether he'd sign it.
The legislation, introduced by California Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), would take effect in July. It would ban 16- and 17-year-olds from using any electronic device while driving, including cellphones, text-messaging devices, laptop computers, pagers, walkie-talkies and hand-held computers, even those with "hands-free" features.
Last year, Schwarzenegger signed a bill that prohibits all drivers from holding a cellphone while driving. The measure, which takes effect in July, allows hands-free devices.
Violators of the proposed bill for teens would get a $20 fine for the first offense and a $50 fine for subsequent offenses, but they wouldn't get points on their driving records.
"I introduced this bill for one simple reason -- it will save lives," Simitian said.
There's been little scientific research directly linking texting and car accidents, but anecdotal evidence -- and common sense -- suggest it is too distracting.
