Group urges cellphone ban for young drivers

BOISE – An automobile group says Idaho should consider banning cellphone use by drivers 18 and under, on grounds it will make the state’s roads safer.

AAA of Idaho’s Dave Carlson made the pitch Wednesday after his group surveyed Idaho residents.

Carlson argues that protections for teens are necessary because they are overrepresented in fatal and injury crash statistics.

It’s been not quite a year since the 2012 Legislature banned texting while driving for everyone.

But Carlson said most people would support adding a restriction for talking for drivers who are 18 and under.

Washington and Nevada are among 10 states that ban all use of cellphones, requiring that people talk on hands-free devices.

More than 30 other states have restrictions on the use of cellphones by novice drivers.