Bill would restrict A Honolulu City Council committee advanced a bill that would ban motorists from using hand-held wireless phones while driving.
phone use in autos
A City Council panel advances
the bill but allows exceptionsBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com"Two hands on the wheel is the safest way to drive," said Cheryl Soon, director of the city's Transportation Services Department.
Transportation Committee members voted 4-1 yesterday in favor of Bill 6, which will be heard before the full Council for a second reading on Nov. 13.
"This is dangerous. ... I'm seeing more and more people are not concentrating on driving," said Committee Chairman Darrlyn Bunda, who recalled a recent encounter with a motorist who was driving about 30 miles per hour on H-1 while talking on his cellular phone.
The bill would allow motorists to only use a wireless phone that is placed in a stationary cradle or other mount.
Committee members will prepare a draft for the full Council that will include more options for hands-free accessories other than a cradle or mount.
On Nov. 1, New York will become the first state to ban using hand-held wireless phones while driving.
Five months ago, City Councilman John Henry Felix introduced the bill prohibiting motorists from using a wireless phone while driving unless the phone is placed in a cradle or being used to call 911.
Some officials from wireless phone companies testified in opposition to the bill, stating activities other than wireless phone use cause drivers to be distracted.
T-Mobile spokesman Rick Tsujimura said he has observed motorists reading newspapers or applying makeup while driving on the roadways.
"We don't believe ... (hand-held cellular phones) should be unfairly singled out," Tsujimura said.
Gary Slovin of Verizon Wireless said the company could not support the measure because the technical requirement for a mount or cradle for hand-held wireless phones "is not workable."
He said committee members need to research other options besides a mount or cradle.
Bunda, Felix and fellow committee members Steve Holmes and Ann Kobayashi voted for the bill, while Duke Bainum voted against it.
City & County of Honolulu
