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Council Ban On Cell Phones For City Drivers Up For Vote Today

A proposed ban on the use of cell phones by drivers in Philadelphia, proposed by City Councilmen Bill Green, Bill Greenlee and Frank Rizzo, is scheduled to come up this morning for a final vote. It is likely to be quickly challenged in court, since PennDOT and an attorney who helped overturn a similar law in Bucks County have said the legislation conflicts with the state motor-vehicle code.

A proposed ban on the use of cell phones by drivers in Philadelphia, proposed by City Councilmen Bill Green, Bill Greenlee and Frank Rizzo, is scheduled to come up this morning for a final vote.  It is likely to be quickly challenged in court, since PennDOT and an attorney who helped overturn a similar law in Bucks County have said the legislation conflicts with the state motor-vehicle code.

City Council, while considering the legislation last month, heard from the chief legal adviser for Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who urged Council members to send a message to Harrisburg by approving the measure even if it conflicts with the state code.  The law would require drivers to use a "hand-free" device and would prohibit the sending of e-mails and text messages while driving.  Beyond cars, it also applies to people using scooters, bikes, roller skates and skateboards.

Philip J. Berg, an attorney who successfully overturned a similar law in Hilltown Township, Bucks County, in 2000 has vowed to represent for free anyone cited if the Philadelphia law is passed.