Lawmakers oppose cell phone bill
2/19/09 | 28 comments
state house

Lawmakers oppose cell phone bill


By Kevin Miller
BDN Staff

AUGUSTA, Maine — A legislative committee voted overwhelmingly Thursday against several bills that would have prohibited drivers from using hand-held cell phones or from text-messaging while behind the wheel.

But the controversial issue is not quite dead for the year. Lawmakers postponed a vote on a more generic bill to create a “distracted driver” law.

The Legislature’s Transportation Committee debated for several hours the merits of proposals to deal with the problem of drivers too engrossed in phone calls or text messages to pay proper attention to the road.

In the end, however, committee members voted 9-1 against a bill to ban drivers’ use of hand-held cell phones, except in emergencies. That bill now goes to the full Legislature with a majority recommendation of “ought not to pass.”

Lt. Christopher Grotton with the Maine State Police’s traffic division began the meeting with a presentation that illustrated the difficulty of addressing the issue.

Grotton cited numerous research studies showing that distractions — and particularly cell phones — are factors in crashes.

For example, an Australian study found drivers using cell phones were four times more likely to be involved in a serious crash, and a University of Utah study suggested cell phone use while driving was as dangerous as driving while legally drunk. But a University of North Carolina study ranked cell phones as eighth on the list of crash-causing distractions after such things as eating, reaching within the vehicle and looking elsewhere.

Six states have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, but only one of those states — New York — has studied the effectiveness of the law, Grotton said. In New York, the law initially resulted in a 1 percent decline of cell phone use while driving but the rate returned to normal within 18 months, Grotton said.

“This really is more than a driving issue,” he told lawmakers. “It’s a societal issue. We have gotten here because of lifestyle patterns and choices.”

Many of the committee members expressed support for some form of restrictions, whether a ban on hand-held devices or the more broad distracted driver bill, LD 6, sponsored by Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham.

But the lawmakers got hung up over who should be exempt. The cell phone bill that failed to earn an endorsement, LD 40, originally exempted physicians from the ban. But the language was expanded to medical personnel and then to the even more generic health care providers.

Other groups proposed for exemption were utility workers, law enforcement personnel and commercial truck drivers.

Rep. Edward Mazurek, D-Rockland, argued it was hypocritical to ban hand-held cell phones but allow hands-free phones when some research suggests the two types are equally distracting. But other lawmakers said that was unrealistic.

“If we were to vote out a bill where we were going to prohibit all cell phone use … it wouldn’t go anywhere,” said Rep. Ann Peoples, D-Westbrook.

Cell phone use while driving is a perennial issue in the Legislature. To date, lawmakers have approved only one restriction: a prohibition against anyone under age 18 from using hand-held phones.

Even that law is difficult to enforce because police frequently cannot tell a driver’s age without stopping them first, Grotton said. During a one-year span, only two summonses were issued against minors for using a cell phone behind the wheel, he said.

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Comments
28 comments on this item
On 2/19/09 at 8:04 PM, Beelzebubba wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I have a cell phone (with unlimited text messaging), no license, no job, a sketchy car, and a thing for rum and coke. This kind of law is dumb.

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On 2/19/09 at 8:38 PM, eastmainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

There's something wrong with a person who can't stay off the phone while driving the car. Cell phones are great for emergencies , but when people just use them for 'yacking' for no purpose they are ridiculous. Worse yet are people who text message while driving. I've seen people driving with one hand holding a cell phone to their ear and puffing on a cigarette with their other hand. Wonder how they were steering the car ??????? Nothing should distract a driver from paying attention to the road---NOTHING !!!

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On 2/19/09 at 9:22 PM, fredrogers wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

State legislators are more worried about if we use cell phones while driving to work so we can pay our taxes, then legislation they spends our tax money on stupid ideas like this bill.

How about a bill that bans legislators from serving who have not paid their own taxes like the rest of us?

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On 2/20/09 at 2:22 AM, JoyJessun wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well doesn't that just make one feel safe on the rodas to know that we can al still send text messages while driving! That is just idiotic!

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On 2/20/09 at 4:35 AM, benoddway wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I have had to go in the ditch twice for driver's using their cell phones, and now they don't want to do anything about it. Please give me and other's a break. Just because the legislators want to use their phones while driving does not make it safe for the rest of us. Get your thumb out of your butt and do somethong roght for a change.

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On 2/20/09 at 5:13 AM, Dirigo wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Beelzebubba, would your name happen to be Julian?

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On 2/20/09 at 5:37 AM, friendly wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The issue is larger than cell phones. Distraction is the issue. What about reading, shaving, applying makeup, and eating/drinking. I choose not to use the phone when driving. Not everyone does, but everyone has to admit that using the phone, handsfree or otherwise is distracting. But so is spilling hot coffee or dropping your french fires. And I have actually seen someone driving with a newspaper spread across the wheel. You can legislate common sense.

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On 2/20/09 at 5:39 AM, bumpinroad wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

what more can you expect from augusta....kinda makes you want to shake your head doesn't it...

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On 2/20/09 at 6:13 AM, getreal wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Sick and tired of law-makers and a few quacks further dictating what we can and can't do. Let's just make a one person car with nothing in the car like a radio, heater control, or window crank, nothing that can distract someone. Or better yet....let's have the government put a chip in the car, control the speed, the destination, who's in the car, who is allowed to speak while in the car, and keep a level on the noise within the car. More laws, more government yeah baby socialism at work. I want my freedom, NOW! I'm not ignorant of the dangers of cellphones but quit legistating my life and freeedoms to death.

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On 2/20/09 at 6:51 AM, caeser_of_penobscot wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

THANK YOU GOD

txt me ltr k beezlebubba? we can go to orono and get drunk :D

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On 2/20/09 at 7:06 AM, 911patriot wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What would all of our law enforcement officers do if THEY could not talk on THEIR cell phones when driving................

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On 2/20/09 at 7:10 AM, CPSLady wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well, I work about 50% of my week from my car so if I cannot use my phone while driving, I am loosing a lot of time that I am sure the State is not going to want to pay me for.

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On 2/20/09 at 7:34 AM, Bangorian wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I don't think that teens should be able to talk on phones while driving.

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On 2/20/09 at 8:07 AM, sewmama wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Laws usually derive from the public. We have speed laws, if we didn't everyone would be driving 90 miles an hour. We have OUI laws because too many people killed while driving drunk, and the list goes on. If people who owned these cell phones would use their head and be responsible with them they wouldn't even be considering a law like this. And I agree that people do some pretty bizzarre things behind the wheel. There is no law out there that can stop "stupid". I think there should be a stiff penality for those who cause harm while being irresponsible regardless of what they were doing at the time of the incident. And leave the rest alone.

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On 2/20/09 at 8:58 AM, downfleeced wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

we're all safe until next year when the same thing comes up again...:-)

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On 2/20/09 at 9:10 AM, hankwilliams wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Kind of makes you wonder why we've based our whole transportation infrastructure around the private automobile. You can read or text on a train or a bus. Putting stimulus money into public transportation will more than pay for itself in the long run. You'll see fewer accidents, fewer drunk driving arrests, a lighter carbon footprint, and a less stressed-out population.

Before you all jump on me, I realize that some people will always have to drive. But reducing traffic volume by providing viable (for some) alternatives is a sensible and worthy goal. Spending government money toward that goal is not only legitimate, but smart.

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On 2/20/09 at 9:26 AM, SLM414 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

txting ths from my car i thnk its a gud idea oh sht!!!

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On 2/20/09 at 9:29 AM, caeser_of_penobscot wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

lmao slm414 u kick a$$ homey... ttyl gais, shulda nt evn tried to ban em.

ne way lgsltr is prty awsum dontchya think?

pce

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On 2/20/09 at 9:37 AM, outlaw wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

yeah next there will be no smokeing in your car distraction looking for ashtray our rights are fadeing fast just use common sense but we all know how that works WHAT A MESS

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On 2/20/09 at 10:07 AM, pcme2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

About time Maine didn't just pass a bill for fun. And lets hope that the shoot down the other bill of a “distracted driver” law. let us have some freedoms!!

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On 2/20/09 at 10:17 AM, Hampden1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Of course they oppose it. They are just as guilty as we all are. Travel the interstate and you definitely will see the proof watch for blue plated vehicles!

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On 2/20/09 at 11:40 AM, fudgieee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Why don't the state just ban driving to work all together? It might as well since they're going to ban everything else. Did anyone put a thought that this state is so over protected? that's how 49 other states look at us in this way. I'm glad the lawmakers voted against this bill. We got enough bills to worry about. Although it would be nice to have bills turn into real bills for us to spend.

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On 2/20/09 at 1:52 PM, JoyJessun wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

isn't it worth it to sacrifice this personal freedom for the safety of all? Talking on cell while driving is distracting enough, but to text or read anything while driving? How foolish and inconsiderate is this? even if you want to die in your car there are others on the road who may wish to live and not be killed by some fool who is texting or reading while driving. It is just unforgivable to be so self absorbed and uncaring towards everyone else on the road.

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On 2/20/09 at 2:12 PM, FREERADICAL wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

"isn't it worth it to sacrifice this personal freedom for the safety of all"...ummm...NO...This will in no way make us all safer. Laws like this never do. It's like gun laws. They only disarm law obiding citizens. Responsible drivers don't text while driving. You can't legislate responsibility.

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On 2/20/09 at 3:12 PM, Scollins327 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

NOTHING IS WORTH GIVING UP MY FREEDOMS.........JOYJESSUN..................NOTHING. WE IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE FOUGHT FOR FREEDOMS THAT WE LOSE MORE AND MORE OF

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On 2/20/09 at 6:44 PM, chemaine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

"Did anyone put a thought that this state is so over protected? that's how 49 other states look at us in this way."

that's just idiotic. smart states like CT, MA, and CA ban hand held use. I guess this is what one can expect from a hick, backwater, state like ME. You figure cutting down on ways morons can cause accidents is a good state to save money. heck, if they'd just force people to wear motorcycle helmets (as they do in non-hick states) we'd be ahead.

keep klinging to your guns and religion!

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On 2/20/09 at 7:47 PM, NorthwoodsMainiac wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'm so glad I'm a hick!

If the "smart state" a-hole drove on I-95 for 100 miles and only saw 5 cars and a moose the entire time he was driving...he may get it.

Maybe someday we'll be as well off as those fabulous people in MA, CT and CA.

I'll keep my cell thanks....and if any of you "smart state" boyz find yourself north of katahdin.....don't be suprised if you get shot with my gun and have my bible ram'd up your #@$

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On 2/21/09 at 10:53 AM, cm1113 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

chemaine, nobody is holding you hostage. Feel free to go to one of your smart states and stay there. Second of all I don't care if it is or is not legal. I will ALWAYS text and talk on my phone while driving. Thats kind of the point of a cell phone.

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