Louisiana approves cell phone ban!

[zqt3344 21]

Associated Press

Louisiana Senate panel approves cell phone ban

By DOUG SIMPSON 06.06.08, 1:59 PM ET

BATON ROUGE, La. -

A Senate committee on Thursday agreed to a proposed ban on the use of hand-held telephones while driving, though the idea faces competition from other, less restrictive bills.

Rep. Austin Badon said drivers distracted by cellular phone conversations cause too many wrecks on Louisiana roadways.

"It is a huge problem in this state," the New Orleans Democrat said.

His bill would allow the use of handsfree cell phones but would allow police officers to pull over motorists whom they spot talking on a hand-held phone. Violators would face a $100 fine in a first offense and up to $250 for a fourth violation.

The Senate Transportation Committee voted to send it to the full Senate, which already has a handful of rival cell phone bans.

Telecommunications companies oppose Badon's measure and unsuccessfully lobbied the Senate panel to amend it so that it only affects young or inexperienced drivers. Lobbyists argued that drivers are just as distracted by other behavior, such as eating, applying cosmetics or talking with passengers while driving.

"I don't think you ought to single out wireless telephones," said John Koch, lobbyist for Sprint Nextel Corp. (nyse: S - news - people )

The industry prefers measures that only target young or inexperienced drivers, such as a bill by Sen. Don Cravins Jr., which would prohibit hand-held cell phone use but only for drivers 17 and younger. The Opelousas Democrat argued teen drivers are the least experienced, the most likely to cause accidents and more prone than adult drivers to be distracted.

Sens. Julie Quinn, R-Metairie, and Dale Erdey, R-Livingston, have cell phone ban proposals that target motorists with learner's permits or who are otherwise new to driving. The three Senate bills await a vote from the House's transportation panel.

The Senate bills also differ from Badon's bill in that the violation would be a secondary offense - enforced only if a motorist is first pulled over for something else, a "primary offense" such as running a red light.

All four bills include provisions to ban text messaging while driving.

Thirty states and Washington, D.C., have some form of restriction on driving and telephone usage, including Massachusetts, which allows it but only if one hand is on the steering wheel at all times, said Matt Sundeen, transportation analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Six states and Washington ban all handheld phone usage, as do cities including Chicago. Eighteen states and Washington have some form of ban on young drivers using cell phones of any type, Sundeen said.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

While I see this this a step in a proper direction... How about outlawing...

• Car audio (people talk and sing at them too)
• Application of makeup (one of worse things I've seen)
• Food consumption (Juggling food and drinks are hazardous too)

There are many things that distract drivers, not just evil mobile phones.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

and men shaving, reading the newspaper

[Peikko 1,575]

While I see this this a step in a proper direction... How about outlawing...

• Car audio (people talk and sing at them too)
• Application of makeup (one of worse things I've seen)
• Food consumption (Juggling food and drinks are hazardous too)

There are many things that distract drivers, not just evil mobile phones.

Anything that distracts the driver inordinately and requires the use of one (or more hands) for something other than driving should be enough to get a citation for careless driving.

I am not sure how listening to the radio or singing while driving counts as sufficient distraction though.

Edited June 10, 2008 by Purple_Hibiscus

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Very good add-ons!

and men shaving, reading the newspaper

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I have witnessed some people arguing at talk radio and singing along with that CD, just as distracted as the worker talking to his boss on the phone.

I am not sure how listening to the radio or singing while driving counts as sufficient distraction though.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I agree any distraction while driving should merit a ticket.

There's a certain social stigma attached to drink drivers. IMO it should be extended to cover negligent drivers as well.

[Alhamdulillah 0]

I think this is already a law here.

[Ilya R. 0]

yep same in Jersey

but you still see cops on the phones passing by you @ 100mph

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

That law in NJ is not enforced at all.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That law in NJ is not enforced at all.

Nope it isn't - and most of the near misses we have are from idiots talking on their cell phones.

[Peikko 1,575]

I have to agree. I have seen people do incredibly stupid things with a cell phone clasped to their ears but I haven't ever witnessed a manic singer doing anything like that. Still, anyone can be careless or wreckless when driving and there is no implication that simply because you are talking on the phone you are automatically going to be.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

That law in NJ is not enforced at all.

there's law in jersey?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

That law in NJ is not enforced at all.

there's law in jersey?

From time to time.

[almaty 19]

stupid law .....and not enforceable...................