Thread: Support in Senate for cellphone driver ban

Support in Senate for cellphone driver ban

A bill would give federal funds to states that forbid driving while texting or talking without a hands-free device. It could pass this year.
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By Kim Geiger
October 14, 2009

Reporting from Washington - Amid calls from the Obama administration and traffic safety advocates to ban texting and talking on hand-held cellphones while driving, Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) has thrown his support behind the effort -- a sign that the Senate could pass such legislation this year.

The powerful chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee has written a bill that would offer federal funds to states that enact laws against driving while texting or talking on a hand-held device. That incentive approach probably would have a better chance at passage than punitive legislation introduced in July by Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) that would require states to ban texting while driving or risk losing federal highway funds.

Rockefeller has scheduled a hearing on his proposal in two weeks.

"We all know that the explosion of cellphone use and texting during the past few years has brought distracted driving to a new level of danger for all Americans on the road," Rockefeller said in a statement. "The rising numbers of deaths and injuries are alarming."

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), who is cosponsoring the bill, added: "Our legislation offers a comprehensive strategy to combat distracted driving, make our roads safer and save lives."

To qualify for the funds, states would have to enact laws that fine drivers a minimum of $200 for texting and $100 for talking on a hand-held phone. States also would have to ban all use of cellphones by drivers younger than 18.

The funds, totaling $60 million over two years, would be diverted from an existing program to encourage seat belt laws and could be used by states to pay for distracted-driving campaigns as well as other traffic safety projects. The federal government also would spend as much as $24 million on nationwide distracted-driving campaigns similar to those used on holidays to warn against drunk driving.

Three states -- California, Connecticut and Oregon -- have banned texting and talking on a hand-held phone while driving, as well as all cellphone use by drivers younger than 18. These states would be eligible for the funds, but may have to enact some minor changes in order to comply with all the provisions of the bill.

In addition to the bans, states would be required to include distracted-driving questions on driver's license exams and to double the penalties for drivers who cause accidents while texting or talking on the phone, according to a draft outline of the legislation.

The bill comes weeks after the Obama administration hosted a distracted-driving conference, where Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a rule prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving and urged states to enact distracted-driving laws.

kim.geiger@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 6212.story

.."The rising numbers of deaths and injuries are alarming."

From cell phone use while driving..this is an exageration, which always is the case as the socialist global control freaks rape and pilage America. However, cell phones should not be used in cars..its only common sense. A lot of people ignore common sense. So, in this case, does the government know better?

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, 2:00 a.m. Oct. 14

Driver on cell phone hits, pins man in wheelchair

A man in a wheelchair was struck at Ninth Avenue and E Street yesterday by a driver who was talking on a cell phone, police said . . .

Schwarzenegger to wife: Put down the cell phone

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is calling out his wife, Maria Shriver, for apparently violating a state law he signed - holding her cell phone while driving.

The celebrity Web site TMZ.com posted two photographs Tuesday showing Shriver holding a phone to her ear while she's behind the wheel. It says one was snapped Sunday and the other in July.

The Web site later added a video it said was shot Tuesday in Brentwood, where the family lives. It shows Shriver holding a cell phone to her ear while driving a large SUV that appears to be a Cadillac Escalade. She then puts the phone down while the camera is rolling.

The first lady's office said it would have no comment.

On his Twitter feed, Schwarzenegger wrote to TMZ.com founder Harvey Levin: "Thanks for bringing her violations to my attention. There's going to be swift action."

Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear says that by "swift action," the governor means he'll ask his wife not to hold the phone while driving.

In a note accompanying the video, TMZ responded to Schwarzenegger's tweet by saying, "... your scofflaw wife was at it again."

A law that took effect in July 2008 requires California drivers to use a handsfree device when talking on cell phones.

Since then, the California Highway Patrol has issued more than 150,000 citations. That figure does not include citations issued by local police.

Drivers who are spotted by law enforcement officers holding a cell phone to their ear are subject to fines of at least $20 for the first ticket and $50 for subsequent tickets, plus additional fees.

In Los Angeles County, where Brentwood is located, the Superior Court has set the cost at about $93 for the first ticket and $201 for the next one, meaning Shriver would owe at least $300 in fines and court fees had she been caught by police.

Schwarzenegger has previously praised the regulation and said he warned his then-16-year-old daughter that if she ever violated the law, "she'll be taking the bus."
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