Sixteen-year-old Thomas Birai walks out of his house chomping on some toast. The chain around his neck jingles with each step. He gets into his car, buckles his seat belt and takes off down the street toward the corner. His cell phone rings. It’s a friend. He slows down, picks up the phone and answers.
Birai, a Plymouth resident, just broke the law. While cell phones have become a common accessory, a way to stay in touch with others and to get information on the go, the devices are increasingly being labeled as driving distractions. Eleven states, including Minnesota, and the District of Columbia, restrict cell phone use among young drivers. Birai talks to his friend for a couple of minutes then finally hangs up and pulls up safely at his friend’s house. “I do it all the time. I drive safely and I see no problem with it,” he said. “Adults do that all the time.”
So far, there’s no law banning Minnesota adults from driving and talking. Those under the age of 18, however, can be pulled over for talking while behind the wheel, according to the law, which took effect in 2006. The penalty for the misdemeanor offense is a fine and fees that vary by county. The law’s sponsor, state Rep. Steve Smith, R-Mound, could not be reached for comment.
Why does the law only cover teens?
“Teens are inexperienced compared to adults who have been on the road longer,” said Gail Weinholzer, spokeswoman for AAA Minnesota in Burnsville. “Teens are 7.5 percent of all drivers but are involved in 15 percent of all crashes.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota drivers ages 16-18 are involved in one out of four injury crashes and one of six fatal crashes.
With cell phones, though, the differences are slight.
In 2005, cell phones caused three of every 1,000 crashes among teens, ages 15-19, compared with two of every 1,000 crashes among adults, ages 35 to 64, according to Department of Public Safety statistics. Cell phones are blamed in two of every 1,000 multi-vehicle crashes for both age groups.
The University of Central Oklahoma did a study based on reaction time to a computer program that simulated quick stops and road hazards. The teens and adults without cell phones had the quickest reaction times. Teens with cell phones reacted faster than adults with cell phones mainly due to age. This indicates teens are more likely to stop faster than an adult.
Gordy Pehrson of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety said he believes all drivers – regardless of age – should be prohibited from using cell phones while driving. “They need to minimize all distractions,” he said. Teens remain unfazed.
“I will continue to drive and use my cell,” Birai said. “I use a headset. That way my eyes are on the road and my hands are free.”
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