Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 | 1:39 p.m.
Sen. Mark Manendo asks a question during a meeting of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Growth and Employment on the third day of the 2011 legislative session Feb. 9, 2011, in Carson City.
CARSON CITY – A 16-year-old motorist with only a few months of experience on the road shouldn't be using a cell phone or texting while driving, says Sen. Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas.
Inexperienced drivers should put their cell phones on the seat beside them and pay attention to the road, added Manendo, who introduced Senate Bill 145 to prohibit the use of a cell telephone or other handheld wireless device while a minor is driving.
His was one of two bills introduced in the Senate to stop the use of cell phones while driving.
Sen. Shirley Breeden, D-Las Vegas, sponsored Senate Bill 140 to prohibit the use of cell phones by all motorists, subjecting them to a $250 fine for the first offense, $500 for the second and $1,000 for the third within a seven-year span.
The motorist would face suspension of his or her license for six months if convicted of three offenses.
Breeden said there were 143 accidents by inattention of drivers, but not all of them were caused by use of cell phones or handheld communication devices.
Those convicted who are under 18 could face a fine, driver's license suspension or mandatory attendance at a traffic court while paying the cost of instruction.
Manendo said some teens are texting or playing games and are addicted to immediately responding to any call while on the road.
“Parents tell me their kid walks around the house using the cellular and texting and run into walls and furniture,” Manendo said.
Both bills were referred to the Senate Transportation Committee, of which Breeden is chairwoman.
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