Maine Lawmakers Kill Mobile Hand-Held Devices Bill

From the ARRL...



NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 22, 2001--A Maine legislative committee has killed a bill that would have made it illegal to use hand-held electronic devices such as cellphones and two-way radios while driving. ARRL State Government Liaison Zane Keeler, AA1WV, reports the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation on February 21 reported out an ought-not-to-pass recommendation for LD 95, introduced by Rep Joseph E. Brooks.


The Brooks bill would have restricted the use of hand-held cellular telephones as well as "computers, Citizens Band radios, dictaphones, microphones and other electronic devices" not essential to the operation of a vehicle on Maine's highways.



The same legislative panel also turned away a similar, but less restrictive bill, LD 102, sponsored by Rep Gerald E. Bouffard, who also was among the cosponsors on Brooks' bill. Both bills would have permitted the use of hands-free accessories for cellular telephones used on the road.



The committee's vote on both bills was 7-1. Keeler said both bills are dead for the current session. Those opposing the bill included several Maine Amateur Radio operators, cellular telephone providers, emergency medical service providers, and the American Automobile Association. Hams argued that radio use was less dangerous than cellular telephone use and required a license and education, and that having ham radio in a car made it available for emergencies. AAA and the wireless companies contended more education was the answer, and AAA said there were no data to support a cellphone ban. The state Highway Safety Bureau took "a neutral position" on the measures.



Several hams, including Maine Section Manager Bill Woodhead, N1KAT, were on hand February 12 for a public hearing before the legislature's Transportation Committee. Keeler said a half-dozen Maine hams showed up for the February 21 legislative workshop.



In Maryland, a bill to ban the use of hand-held cellular telephones while driving was killed February 15 by a House of Delegates committee on a 14-7 vote. A similar bill died in last year's Maryland General Assembly session.



Several other states are considering similar measures. While no states have banned cellular telephone use altogether, California, Florida and Massachusetts impose some restrictions on their use. Nearly 40 states have considered such legislation since 1995. Five municipalities require drivers to use hands-free technology within their borders.