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House approves bill to stop cell use while driving
Drivers may soon want to think twice before picking up cell phones while driving
Makenzie Marineau
Issue date: 5/8/09 Section: News
Oregon drivers may soon be thinking twice before picking up a hand-held cell phone while operating a vehicle.
On Tuesday, April 28, as a mother of a traffic victim looked on in Salem, the Oregon House of Representatives approved a bill that bans the use of hand-held communications devices while operating a motor vehicle.
The measure, House Bill 2377, was approved by a 38-22 vote, sending it to the Senate. The bill would make using a hand-held cell phone while driving a primary traffic violation, indicating that drivers could be stopped and ticketed for the offense without first being stopped for a different infraction. A maximum $90 fine would be imposed on drivers caught texting or talking directly on a cell phone, but this does not apply to drivers using a cell phone equipped with a hands-free accessory. There are exceptions for certain drivers, including those who work in public safety.
The bill expands on a 2007 state law that bans cell phone use for drivers under the age of 18 and authorizes police to issue tickets as a secondary violation to drivers if cell phone use is the cause of another motor vehicle violation, such as speeding or running a stop sign.
Washington and California have already passed laws to restrict the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers.
Sitting in the upper house gallery watching the debate was Peggy Tucker, whose daughter was killed in an accident involving a driver talking on a cell phone.
The women who caused the accident was also killed. Tucker wanted to send the message that people need to be responsible by not using a cell phone on the road.
Rep. Carolyn Tomei, a chief sponsor of the bill, said national studies show that cell phone use contributes to 2,600 traffic fatalities every year on U.S. roads and highways.
Corvallis district Rep. Sara Gelser voted in favor of the bill.
"I have used a cell phone while driving and I know I should not have. I believe most people understand that it isn't a good idea, but they still use cell phones while driving, and with a law enforcing it, hopefully people will take that into consideration. It causes a huge public safety hazard."
On Tuesday, April 28, as a mother of a traffic victim looked on in Salem, the Oregon House of Representatives approved a bill that bans the use of hand-held communications devices while operating a motor vehicle.
The measure, House Bill 2377, was approved by a 38-22 vote, sending it to the Senate. The bill would make using a hand-held cell phone while driving a primary traffic violation, indicating that drivers could be stopped and ticketed for the offense without first being stopped for a different infraction. A maximum $90 fine would be imposed on drivers caught texting or talking directly on a cell phone, but this does not apply to drivers using a cell phone equipped with a hands-free accessory. There are exceptions for certain drivers, including those who work in public safety.
The bill expands on a 2007 state law that bans cell phone use for drivers under the age of 18 and authorizes police to issue tickets as a secondary violation to drivers if cell phone use is the cause of another motor vehicle violation, such as speeding or running a stop sign.
Washington and California have already passed laws to restrict the use of hand-held cell phones by drivers.
Sitting in the upper house gallery watching the debate was Peggy Tucker, whose daughter was killed in an accident involving a driver talking on a cell phone.
The women who caused the accident was also killed. Tucker wanted to send the message that people need to be responsible by not using a cell phone on the road.
Rep. Carolyn Tomei, a chief sponsor of the bill, said national studies show that cell phone use contributes to 2,600 traffic fatalities every year on U.S. roads and highways.
Corvallis district Rep. Sara Gelser voted in favor of the bill.
"I have used a cell phone while driving and I know I should not have. I believe most people understand that it isn't a good idea, but they still use cell phones while driving, and with a law enforcing it, hopefully people will take that into consideration. It causes a huge public safety hazard."
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