Ryan Carter
California residents are one step closer to having both hands on the
wheel as they drive and talk on their cell phones -- or else.
Legislation co-written by Assemblymen Dario Frommer (D-Glendale)
and Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) would require drivers to keep
hand-held cell phones away from their ears while driving passed the
Assembly 49-27 this week. It is headed to the Senate for a vote.
If passed, drivers would be required to use cellular hands-free
technology, such as earpieces, while on the road or face fines for
the infraction. The law would take effect in January 2005.
"It's just a very reasonable measure," Frommer said. "All we are
saying is get an earpiece so you are not holding a phone to your
ear."
Not all lawmakers have been so willing to let the law dictate such
measures.
"It's not the job of the legislature to single out cell-phone
users for special punishment," Assemblyman Dave Cox, leader of the
Assembly's Republican caucus, released in a statement.
Brandon McDougall, lead communication specialist at AT&T Wireless
in Glendale, said the bill's passage would not put much of a dent in
sales at his store because the company already puts earpieces in
cell-phone packages.
Law enforcement officials hope it could put a dent in the number
of accidents linked to cell phone use, though.
"Any measure that minimizes distractions, we are in full support
of," Glendale Police spokeswoman Officer Leticia Chang said. "We've
already changed our report forms to indicate if cell phones were an
associated factor in an accident."
