By News and Copy Editor, Royze Adolfo

            Buckle up, hang up, and put all messaging devices away. It is time to focus on the road.
            On Thursday, Sept. 13, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill into law effective next July making it illegal for any driver under the age of 18 to use any mobile phone or hand-held messaging device while driving.
            Minors who are caught driving while using any of such devices will be fined $20 upon their first infraction, $50 for subsequent violations.
            State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, claimed that younger drivers are “particularly prone to accidents caused by inattention.”
            As evidenced in a fatality analysis report conducted by the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles, the leading cause of death among teen drivers is car accidents. They also have “the highest traffic violation rates of any other age group,” according to the same source.
            Schwarzenegger claimed to be a proponent of this bill as a father, as well as a legislator. According to him, this new law is essential in his attempts to help young individuals “focus on the road and be [good] drivers,” by introducing safer traveling methods.
            While cell phones are considered vital for both the parents and the young drivers, for safety and communication purposes, many legislators have noticed the uprising statistic of traffic accidents caused by irresponsible teen drivers.
             Students agree that cell phone use abuse is prevalent among many of their peers.
            This new law is engineered to help younger drivers develop safer and improved driving practices, mitigate the astounding fatality rates attributed to bad driving habits, and prevent accidents that would have otherwise been avoided.
            Also effective July is a statewide ban of all hand held cell phones while driving.