Banning Cell Phone Voice Communications
December 11, 2012 04:00 PM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
Senator Jim Ferlo
D Senate District 38
Memo
In the near future I will be introducing legislation to ban the use of cell phones for voice communications, in addition to the existing ban on text messaging.
The bill makes using a handheld cell phone for voice communication a primary offense with a summary penalty and a $50 fine. Public safety personnel and drivers reporting emergency situations will be exempt from the prohibition. Hands free devices such as Bluetooth-enabled earpieces will be permitted under the law.
Police have repeatedly reported that the current texting ban is insufficient and too difficult to enforce to be effective. The use of cell phones is nearly as distracting as texting and there is ample evidence that it leads to avoidable accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that distracted driving, which includes the use of cell phones for phone calls, contributes to between 20 and 30 percent of all traffic accidents.
The bill makes using a handheld cell phone for voice communication a primary offense with a summary penalty and a $50 fine. Public safety personnel and drivers reporting emergency situations will be exempt from the prohibition. Hands free devices such as Bluetooth-enabled earpieces will be permitted under the law.
Police have repeatedly reported that the current texting ban is insufficient and too difficult to enforce to be effective. The use of cell phones is nearly as distracting as texting and there is ample evidence that it leads to avoidable accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that distracted driving, which includes the use of cell phones for phone calls, contributes to between 20 and 30 percent of all traffic accidents.
Legislation
Document - Introduced as SB 415
Last updated on December 11, 2012 04:01 PM
Banning Cell Phone Voice Communications
December 11, 2012 04:00 PM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
FERLO
Memo
In the near future I will be introducing legislation to ban the use of cell phones for voice communications, in addition to the existing ban on text messaging.
The bill makes using a handheld cell phone for voice communication a primary offense with a summary penalty and a $50 fine. Public safety personnel and drivers reporting emergency situations will be exempt from the prohibition. Hands free devices such as Bluetooth-enabled earpieces will be permitted under the law.
Police have repeatedly reported that the current texting ban is insufficient and too difficult to enforce to be effective. The use of cell phones is nearly as distracting as texting and there is ample evidence that it leads to avoidable accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that distracted driving, which includes the use of cell phones for phone calls, contributes to between 20 and 30 percent of all traffic accidents.
The bill makes using a handheld cell phone for voice communication a primary offense with a summary penalty and a $50 fine. Public safety personnel and drivers reporting emergency situations will be exempt from the prohibition. Hands free devices such as Bluetooth-enabled earpieces will be permitted under the law.
Police have repeatedly reported that the current texting ban is insufficient and too difficult to enforce to be effective. The use of cell phones is nearly as distracting as texting and there is ample evidence that it leads to avoidable accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that distracted driving, which includes the use of cell phones for phone calls, contributes to between 20 and 30 percent of all traffic accidents.
Document
Introduced as SB 415
Last Updated
December 11, 2012 04:01 PM
Generated 05/20/2025 10:36 AM