Maine bans cell phone while driving?
State considers banning cell phone use while driving
A Maine bill would attempt to reduce fatal car accidents by eliminating a ringing distraction.
Students at the University of Maine and state residents may soon be hit with a law banning use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving.
The proposal, introduced by Sen. Bill Diamond, would ban activities in Maine defined as dangerous distractions when driving. The bill - LD 6 - outlines these activities to include "using an electronic device, applying cosmetics or performing personal grooming with any device."
The bill was prompted by statistics showing a correlation between cell phone use while driving and Maine's vehicle accident fatality rate. The National Safety Council released an approximate figure of 2,600 driving fatalities each year that can be attributed to driver inattention due to cell phone use.
"We have not taken a position on any of the cell phone bills. … Our only recommendation for any driver is that when they're behind the wheel, their main task is to drive the car. We advise that that's what the driver should be doing," said Stephen McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Bans on cell phone use while driving have been passed in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington. In these states, the use of hand-held electronic devices is illegal, but the ban allows the use of hands-free cell phone use. Alaska, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington all have bans on sending text messages while driving.
"For many people, the ban has caused them to go out and get the Bluetooth head sets. As long as you're using your phone hands-free it's OK," said UMaine student Marc Goulet who is from Connecticut. "If a cop sees you holding your phone and talking, they can pull you over and write you a ticket."
This does not necessarily stop the behavior, because the ban is difficult to enforce.
"I know a lot of people, including me, that still use our phones without a headset and when we see a cop coming we just put our phones down for a second and once the cop passes we start talking again … I am not for the ban against cell phone use while driving. I really don't think that banning the use will make driving that much safer," Goulet said.
Other students are supportive of the ban, some because of their own bad experiences with cell-phone drivers.
"I agree with this ban. I was in a car accident last April because the other driver was texting and rear-ended me. I now have major back problems. It's so easy to not answer a phone, or even just pull over to talk. I think that the use of hands-free sets should be fine, but texting and hands-on sets are dangerous," said Samantha Burrill, a fourth-year animal and veterinary science student.
There is a ban in Maine on cell phone use by those under the age of 18.
"My biggest pet peeve is texting and driving … I've almost been in several car accidents just because my friend needed to text while they were driving," said UMaine student Rebecca Wood. "I think that the cell phone ban is probably a good idea. I don't feel like it's too much effort to pull over or just wait until you get to your destination to call."
Along with the recently enacted seat belt law, this proposed ban would be one more precaution aimed at Maine drivers.
"The cell phone ban in Connecticut has been effective, but I think it depends on who you ask," said Andrew Prindle, UMaine student and Connecticut native.