Jeff Hajny

    On Jan. 1, a new statewide law entitled LB415 went into effect which will have an impact on teen drivers throughout the state. The law prevents teenagers ages 15 to 17 from using their cell phones or any text-messaging tool while driving.
     Members of the Seward County law enforcement have positive opinions of the law.
     "I think this is good," Seward Police Chief Alan Baldwin said. "Any law that attempts to reduce careless driving or even the number of car crashes throughout the state is a good law."
     Senator Greg Adams was also very optimistic about the new proposed law.
     "I think that even though probably everyone would be better off if we didn't drive with a cell phone or something of the nature, I'm glad this bill was focused towards the younger drivers," Adams said. "Oftentimes with younger drivers, the last thing they need is a distraction while they are driving and that is what a cell phone or text messaging becomes after a while."
     "I think it is an appropriate way to address a problem with teens being distracted on the road," Seward County Sheriff Joe Yocum said. "Studies have shown that the majority of wrecks teens are in involve them talking on a cell phone. I think it is a good law."
     Yocum also talked about the potential for another law.
     "We're seeing a possible new law which focuses on not just teens, but also everyone else not being able to talk on a cell phone while driving," Yocum said. "It takes all the senses to take a look what's going on while driving and when you're on a cell phone, you can't do that."
     Students from Seward High School voiced their own opinions on the law.
     "I don't like it that everyone is getting punished, even the people who are responsible drivers," Ryan Coufal said. "I guess I can see how something like this can prevent distractions on the road though. I think it should be focused on everyone rather than just teens."
     "Texting doesn't really distract me while I'm driving, but it will definitely take some getting used to," Taylor Majerus said. "A lot of times I'm driving and forget and catch myself starting to talk on the phone while I'm driving."
     "I don't really like it," Annie Kamprath said. "I understand the whole texting and calling being a distraction thing, but what happens when you get lost? It's easy to get lost on backroads or in Lincoln."
     "I feel that if you're stopped and not driving, you could still be able to text, but I understand that when you're driving talking on a cell phone or texting can be a distraction," Becca Mohnike said. "If you're texting or talking, you aren't paying full attention to the road so I can see why they made this law."
     The new law, passed as Provisional Operator's Permit 60-4, 120.01, and titled LB415, stated in order to apply for a provisional operator's permit (POP), drivers must follow the following rules:
     • must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's permit for at least six months;
     • the permit will expire on the driver's 18th birthday;
     • the driver may drive unsupervised from 6 a.m. until midnight;
     • the driver may not drive unsupervised from midnight to 6 a.m. unless en route to or from their residence, place of employment or to or from a school activity;
     • the driver may drive at any time if accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult who is at least 21 years old and possesses a valid operator's license;
     • all people being transported by the holder of a POP shall use the motor vehicle's occupant protection system (safety belts);
     • during the first six months the holder of the POP is limited to no more than one passenger who is not an immediate family member and is under 19 years of age; and
     • the holder of a POP shall not use any type of interactive wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, which includes a mobile or cellular phone, text-message device, personal digital assistant, audio-video player or a laptop computer.
     A new provision also stated that in order to obtain a driver's license, one must be at least 17 years old and have held a POP for at least 12 months or must be 18 years of age.
     These laws also pertained to holders of Learner's Permits as well as School Permits.
     Some of the extra rules pertaining to the stipulations regarding Learner's Permits included:
     • the driver can be younger than 16 but older than 14 years of age;
     • the permit will expire three months following the date of issuance; and
     • the driver must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult who is at least 21 years of age and possesses a valid driver's license.
     Some of the extra stipulations regarding the School Permit (SCP) as according to the new law included:
     • the driver must be age 14 years and two months; and
     • the driver may operate a motor vehicle to and from their school of attendance and between schools of enrollment over the most direct and accessible route to transport the SCP holder to attend duly scheduled courses of instruction and extracurricular or school-related activities at the school of attendance.
     For each type of license or permit, the rule which stated they shall not use any type of interactive wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, which includes a mobile or cellular phone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant, and audio-video player or a laptop computer.
     Violation of these laws results in a second-degree offense, meaning a citation will be issued only if another offense is recorded, such as speeding or violating a stop sign.