Senate passes
Sosnowski bill to ban hand-held cell phone use by drivers
The Senate has approved
legislation introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown,
New Shoreham), that would outlaw the use of any non-hands-free personal
wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, except for
public safety personnel or in emergency situations.
Those caught violating
the provisions of the legislation (2017-S 0175) would be subject to a fine of no
more than $100. That fine can be suspended for a first-time violator who
provides proof of acquisition of a hands-free accessory subsequent to the
violation and prior to the imposition of the fine.
The measure now heads to
the House of Representatives, where similar legislation (2017-H 5182) has been introduced by Rep.
Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown).
“Distracted driving is
extremely dangerous, claiming 3,477 lives in 2015 alone, according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,” said Senator Sosnowski.
“And it’s not just texting; talking on the phone while having one hand off of the wheel is equally distracting. Many of us have grown accustomed to using mobile devices in almost every aspect of our lives, including in our cars and trucks. This is especially true for our younger population, who grew up with this kind of technology embedded in their daily lives. It’s important not to forget that every time we step into a vehicle, we are taking our lives and the lives of others into our own hands.”
“And it’s not just texting; talking on the phone while having one hand off of the wheel is equally distracting. Many of us have grown accustomed to using mobile devices in almost every aspect of our lives, including in our cars and trucks. This is especially true for our younger population, who grew up with this kind of technology embedded in their daily lives. It’s important not to forget that every time we step into a vehicle, we are taking our lives and the lives of others into our own hands.”
Rhode Island would join
three other New England states in banning hand-held mobile phones for driver:
Connecticut, which has had a ban since 2005, Vermont, which has had a ban since
2014, and New Hampshire, which has banned hand-held phone use for drivers since
2015. Massachusetts leaves the question up to local jurisdictions.
The senator pointed to a
2011 statistic from the U.S. Department of Transportation which shows that 10
percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were
reported to be “distracted” at the time of the crash. In 2015 alone, 3,477
people were killed, and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving
distracted drivers.
During daylight hours,
approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. That creates
enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. Teens were the
largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.
“With each change in
technology, it becomes our duty as lawmakers and protectors of our constituency
to ensure that we make the appropriate adjustments to our statutes,” Senator
Sosnowski added. “This is primarily about safety. There are already so many
dangers and distractions on the road – the least we can do is work to minimize
those potential threats.”