July 31, 2007
OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma lawmaker wants to fine and jail motorists who get into traffic accidents because they are distracted by their cell phones.
A proposal by state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, would require a mandatory fine of $1,000 and 20 days in jail if cell phone use is a factor in an accident.
...He said at least three states have banned cell phone use by motorists and four more have required that motorists use hands-free devices .
State law already requires motorists to devote “100 percent of their time to driving” but it is not being enforced, the lawmaker said.
...Wesselhoft pointed to a recent fatal accident in New York where a 17-year-old driver slammed head-on to a truck, killing her and four other recent high school graduates. The driver was text-messaging friends at the time of the accident.
He cited a study National Highway Traffic Administration study showing drivers looked at the road less just 40 percent of the time while dialing manually.
If the bill passes the public will be amazed to see how many accidents can be attributed to cell phone use, he said.
Wesselhoft said Oklahoma Highway Safety Office figures showing cell phones were a contributing factor in 802 accidents in 2006, 775 in 2005 and 567 in 2004.
Full Story from the Joplin Globe (MO)
Full Story from the Joplin Globe (MO)
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