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• Mar 21, 2008 9:26 am US/Eastern
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  Senate Approves Cell Phone, Texting Driving Ban

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Senate Approves Cell Phone, Texting Driving Ban

Reporting
Dennis Edwards

A cell phone driving ban is on its way to the House of Delegates.

Dennis Edwards reports it was a tight vote, but Maryland could become the next state to make it illegal to talk and text on a cell phone while driving.

You see them in the hands of drivers everywhere. The essential cell phone also lets us send text messages, and we use them to stay in touch.

But some of us can't do that without driving dangerously, losing control and getting into accidents.

"Phones are up against the ear. They're talking. If somebody else is in the car, they're talking, and they are not concentrating," said Sen. Nathaniel McFadden.

"It's already against the law to not have control of your vehicle. It's already against the law to operate your vehicle in a reckless manor," said Sen. E.J. Pipkin.

Maryland senators addressed the problem by narrowly passing a bill that would make it illegal to talk on hand-held cell phones and send text messages while driving.

Now adult drivers have been added to the ban, but only as a secondary offense. That means simply driving and texting or talking on your phone is not enough to be pulled over by a police officer.

The Senate has already approved the bill, but if approved by the House, drivers could face a $50 fine for using a cell phone.  But judges have the option of waiving the fee for those who buy hands free accessories like head sets.

"I think the blue tooth or some kind of speaker phone should be the law," said Jonathan Zawacki.

"You see many times some of the mistakes people are making by trying to do multiple things," said Nathaniel Covington.

It's future is unknown for now.

The cell phone ban was approved by a 26 to 21 vote.  The breakdown was not along party lines.

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