April 22, 2005

New Law Bans Cell Phones While Driving

Teens in Colorado may have to hang up their cell phones while driving. The new law, which will go into effect in August, will prohibit teens on their learner's permit from talking on a cell phone while driving.

Studies have shown that talking on a cell phone can slow a teen's reaction time to that of someone in their late 60s or early 70s. The distraction of a cell phone is also equivalent to the impairment of a blood-alcohol level of 0.08.

Cell phones: they can be great in emergencies, when you're lost or to order a pizza, but behind the wheel they can be a dangerous distraction. I managed to get in enough trouble while driving without a cell phone. I hate to think how many more ditches I would have visited if I had a cell phone.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 20, 2005

Letting Teens Race—Legally

The Colorado State Patrol has an alternative for street racing teens: the drag strip. Alive At 25 and Bandimere Speedway are offering Take it to the Track, a program where anyone can race their car. All you need is $30, a valid driver's license and a car that passes inspection and you can race all night (16- and 17-year-olds need a minor release form signed by a parent or guardian). The program will run for 22 Wednesday nights throughout the summer.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens, and this program hopes to minimize illegal street racing.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 10:15 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

April 11, 2005

Sixteen and Behind the Wheel

When I was your age I had a tenuous relationship with cars. I slid my '88 Mustang off the road more times than I care to remember. I tore reverse out of my dad’s brand new truck. I rear-ended a car in the school parking lot, causing $500 worth of damage.

The police pulled me over for going 59 mph in a 40 mph zone and threatened me with reckless driving. My excuse? Late for a final. Another time I stopped at a red light, looked both ways, and kept going, causing an officer to ask if I'd taken any drugs or alcohol. No sir, I'm just stupid.

Once I shouted over the noise to my friend: "Does the muffler sound loud to you?" Before he could answer there was a crash and the sound of a muffler dragging along the road.

I grew up in the suburbs where public transportation was a joke and walking was only a form of exercise. Which made a driver's license a necessary right of passage. But it didn't come easy. Driving a car in my house meant responsibility. We made all repairs ourselves, which meant goodbye Saturday. And don't forget insurance. Every six months I had to pony up insurance money for my dad. Is it any wonder I took the bus to work for three years and now work at home?

The automobile brings freedom to the American teenager. It can also bring stupidity. Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teens. Driving with a friend doubles your risk of getting in a wreck, and talking on that cell phone slows your reaction time to that of a 70-year-old. Don't check your brains at the car door: Wear your seatbelt. Drive the speed limit (I'm still learning that one). Look both ways. Red means stop. Showing off puts your stupidity on display. And donuts? Stick to eating them. (ABC News, Feb. 13, 2005)

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack