Oregon bill would hit cell phone users
By BRAD CAIN
Associated Press
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 10:26 AM PDT
SALEM — Taking aim at distracted motorists, an Oregon House panel has advanced a bill to prohibit people from texting or talking on hand-held cell phones while driving. The measure was endorsed Monday by the House Transportation Committee after sponsors said drivers chatting on hand-held cell phones are a menace to themselves and others on the road. Now headed to the full House for debate, the bill expands on a law passed by the 2007 Legislature that made it illegal for teenagers to use cell phones and drive.
But the 2007 law said police could ticket teens only if they had been stopped for another traffic violation. So it was a ‘‘secondary offense,’’ one that has resulted in few citations being issued around the state because local police agencies say it’s difficult to enforce. The House bill would make it a primary offense, and provide that drivers of any age seen using a hand-held cell phone can be ticketed and punished with a maximum fine of $90. Five other states prohibit using hand-held cell phones while driving. Oregon State Police Sgt. Alan Hageman said although the agency is neutral on the specific bill, cell phone use in vehicles is on the rise and so is distracted driving.
Dan Rollins wrote on May 2, 2009 2:34 PM:
I believe that this is a good bill since the FCC outlaws cell-phone blockers here in the great USA.
Funny, both France and the U.K. use cell phone blocking technology in thir prizons and movie theaters.
Overall, when common sense is not common within the general population new laws are passed. "