A bill to ban hand-held use of a cell phone while driving in Louisiana has passed its first hurdle in the legislature.
The House Transportation Committee heard Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill Monday.
In support was Jennifer Smith, with safety activist group “StopDistractions.org.” She says passing the bill into law will mean fewer car crashes.
“Twenty-five states plus DC have these laws and are seeing results. Ohio just put their bill into effect at the beginning of April. They have already seen an eight-percent drop in distracted driving.”
Smith told committee members that 65% of all Louisiana drivers are guilty of distracted driving, via using a cell phone behind the wheel,
“This bill is about safety and saving lives; nothing more, nothing less. It should be considered to be equivalent with seat belt and helmet laws.”
Several survivors of crash victims testified how a person distracted by their phone caused the death of a loved one.
Speaking against the bill was Alexandria attorney Ed Tarpley, who says state law has already intruded too much into people’s personal lives.
“Banning the use of a hand-held cell phone is unnecessary. It’s an example of government overreach. It’s just as bad as Michael Bloomberg trying to ban the purchase of a Big Gulp, when he was the Mayor of New York City several years ago.”
Also opposed to the bill, John Swisher, a professional tow truck driver. He characterized the measure as an attempted “money grab” that makes it harder for him to do his job.
“If this bill passes, it will be detrimental to our industry; especially the automotive shop owners with wreckers…’cause when law enforcement calls you on the cell phone, you’d better answer it right then and there.”
After over an hour of discussion, the panel voted 5-4 to move the bill to the House floor.
