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Teen cell phone ban while driving, headlight use to be discussed by lawmakers

February 16, 2012|By Jason Lamb

JUNEAU, Alaska — A cell phone ban among teen drivers and a law requiring drivers to use headlights at all times are scheduled to be taken up by the House Transportation Committee at the State Capitol on Thursday.

The cell phone law, proposed by Rep. Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) would prohibit teens younger than 18 years old from using a cell phone while driving -- including both talking on the phone and texting.

The law is separate from another proposal currently in the House that would ban "driving while texting" among all drivers, no matter what their age.

The teen cell phone ban would be subject to secondary enforcement, meaning a police officer couldn't pull a teen over just for violating the cell phone law, but if they committed another infraction -- like speeding or reckless driving -- they could be cited with the additional offense.

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Another law up for consideration by the House Transportation Committee, sponsored by Rep. Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks), would require drivers to have their headlights turned on at all times while driving.  

Kawasaki cites state statistics that show a projected decrease in head-on collisions by 15 percent if a headlight law was enforced.

Other countries, including neighboring Canada, already require around-the-clock headlight use. 

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