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Monday, August 18, 2008

Drivers: Put down those cell phones!

A cell phone ban on drivers may be in Philadelphia's future.

Two Councilmen, Bill Green and Bill Greenlee, this afternoon issued a press release announcing their intention to introduce legislation to outlaw the practice, just as it is in other cities and some states, when Council returns on Sept. 18.

"A distracted driver is a dangerous driver," Greenlee said, pointing to studies that seek to prove that true.

"Unfortunately, the simple act of dialing a phone number or sending a text message while driving can turn a trip to the grocerty store into a trip to the emergency room," Green said.

The question now: Who, if anybody, will fight the proposed ban?
Posted by Marcia Gelbart @ 4:12 PM  Permalink | 35 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:49 PM, 08/18/2008
    How could I ever talk on the phone with Michael Bolton turned up so loud on the car stereo?
    — joeross
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:22 PM, 08/18/2008
    Another grab at money. Study after study shows that it isn't holding the phone to your ear that is the cause of the distraction, but the conversation. They should at least outlaw texting-while-driving.
    — photog72
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:25 PM, 08/18/2008
    I think a ban should be imposed for the entire state of Penna. It is such a safety issue. Almost every other driver is engaged with a cell phone while driving. You can see people looking down at their phone and texting instead of eyeing the road and traffic signals.
    — mbcohen
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:27 PM, 08/18/2008
    Another reason why the city shouldn't enact this legislation. Let the state do it. It will... all states will eventually. There shouldn't be a mish-mash of laws. One law for the whole state, just like Jersey, California, New York, et cetera.
    — photog72
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:28 PM, 08/18/2008
    they can outlaw phones while driving bc it is dangerous but cant change the gun laws?
    — kmmposts
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:29 PM, 08/18/2008
    About freaking time! Now if someone would propose a bill to get rid of the "lean" when driving...
    — anon
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:31 PM, 08/18/2008
    This will just be another unenforced law. Add it to loitering, littering, speeding, running red lights...oh, well, and while we're at it...robbery and murder.
    — chrissmith
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:32 PM, 08/18/2008
    Not a moment too soon.
    — chemlady
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:33 PM, 08/18/2008
    Not a moment too soon.
    — chemlady
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:36 PM, 08/18/2008
    So when I drive down Walnut street and see a Parking Authority person driving by talking on their cell phone I can assume they will get a ticket?
    — Dvs Mind
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:40 PM, 08/18/2008
    I was behind at woman at Wawa the other day who was on her cell phone from the time she walked in the store to the time she left. Talking while she paid. Talking while the person at the deli counter handed her her order. What the hell is wrong with people.
    — doorspj24
  • Comment removed.
  • Comment removed.


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