Bill to ban cell phone use while driving is redirected

Posted to: News Politics State Government Virginia
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By Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 28, 2009

RICHMOND

A bill to outlaw using a cell phone while driving unless it's a hands-free device hit a snag on the Senate floor today.

Instead of final vote on SB874 by the full Senate, the legislation was referred to the Courts of Justice Committee.

Sen. Ken Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, called for the bill to be re-routed, citing unresolved "legal issues that need to be addressed."

Sen. Patricia Ticer, D-Alexandria, sponsored the bill, which previously passed the Senate's Transportation Committee.

"You simply cannot hold onto the steering wheel of a car if you are talking on a cell phone that has to be held with a hand," she said.

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jamesd....maybe not a winner, but

Submitted by Gertz Point on Fri, 01/30/2009 at 2:01 pm.

"You probably thought Pelosi's idea to have parents stop having kids to save government money was a winner."

It may not be a winner, but it's not really a bad idea. Something to ponder!

davidj... that's the dumbest

Submitted by JamesD on Thu, 01/29/2009 at 10:41 am.

davidj... that's the dumbest response I think I've ever read on these boards. "Others do it, we should too!" If I told you other countries thought starving their people was a great way to reduce obesity, you'd probably want us to do that, too. You probably thought Pelosi's idea to have parents stop having kids to save government money was a winner.

You can't hold onto a soda

Submitted by JamesD on Thu, 01/29/2009 at 10:37 am.

You can't hold onto a soda or a burger either, but are we banning people from drinking soda while driving? You can put those down? With an ear device you can put a phone down, too! This is a ridiculous law to stand alone. If you are afraid of the distraction, isn't a three-year-old in the back seat crying a distraction? How about putting on eyeliner or makeup, or using an electric shaver? All of that is still legal! Ban that too if you're going to ban cell phones. If you won't ban all those, banning just cell phones is stupid and ignorant.

Devices

Submitted by Craig Paskewic on Wed, 01/28/2009 at 10:01 pm.

Radios, 8 track/CD/tape players, cigarette lighters, cellphones...what's the difference? How many of us have taken your eye off the road to change radio stations? Plug in another CD or cassette tape, put on makeup (not me-I swear!), shave (done it), conduct life altering discussions with your passenger (only when my significant other is pestering me)?
How many times have you seen a vehicle with some schmuck trying to hide beneath the stearing wheel?
Why ban just cellphones? Why not ban all electronic media to include radios and distracted drivers?
Think about this. Your next commute to work...did you remember the drive or the music/conversation?

Who needs a new law? How

Submitted by notfiveo on Wed, 01/28/2009 at 8:43 pm.

Who needs a new law? How about those inatentive drivers that have killed and maimed others while talking on their phone. Nip it in the bud now, there have already been far too many accidents and deaths caused by these phone jerks. If you are too stupid to pay attention while you drive, I am glad big brother is out there watching over me.

Typical Republican. . .

Submitted by davidj37901 on Wed, 01/28/2009 at 6:14 pm.

Stolle is on someone's payola. Cell phones are banned in every intelligent Country and/or State, except for some backwater places like Virginia. It should be treated like drunk driving. Stolle is on someones payroll; Talk about gross representation. Vote him and all Republicans out next chance.

referred?

Submitted by davidh36291 on Wed, 01/28/2009 at 6:11 pm.

The military didn't seem to have any legal trouble banning all cell phone use while driving on base. I don't see why the state is having a problem. Don't put restrictions on it, just ban it all together and then you don't have to worry about legal ramifications. Gee, maybe the car insurance industry would even give us a lower rate.

sprint ceo tv ad

Submitted by Gertz Point on Wed, 01/28/2009 at 6:04 pm.

The CEO of Sprint has been quoted as saying "can you still believed they call these a phone" in a TV AD.

No, they are not just phones any more and even if they were, they need to be outlawed while driving. I don't care who you are, and I see it more and more evey day, you cannot safely drive and talk on your phone. You simply cannot do it!