Pacific Northwest - Honolulu City Council may ban drivers from using cell phones

This is related to something that CB HI and I discussed in this thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=515779 but I thought it deserves it's own thread.

Here's the article from the Advertiser: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090306/NEWS04/903060382&s=d&page=3#pluckcomments

"The Honolulu City Council advanced a bill yesterday that would ban the use of cell phones, music players, video games and other hand-held electronic devices while behind a steering wheel.

Drivers on the road, however, would be able to use hands-free technology to carry on cell phone conversations under the proposed new law.

The electronic device ban follows the recent veto by Mayor Mufi Hannemann of a bill that would have banned video-game playing and texting while driving.

Hannemann supports the current proposal, but vetoed the previous bill because of concerns it would be unenforceable. The bill now being considered would fix that problem."


Ok, ok, maybe Mufi isn't the antichrist after all. ;)

Ok, ok, maybe Mufi isn't the antichrist after all. ;)I will believe that when he gets rid of this bike lane of his and builds the original Young Street plan.
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2162/picture006ft3.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture006ft3.jpg)

Also, I do not quite understand how the texting ban in the first bill was impossible to enforce, but with this bill it will be easy for police to stop people who are texting. It is not like people are holding the cell phone to their ear while texting. Same type of thing with video games.

Also, I do not quite understand how the texting ban in the first bill was impossible to enforce, but with this bill it will be easy for police to stop people who are texting.

It doesn't say anywhere in the article that this bill will make it easy for police to stop people who are texting. According to the article, it bans the use of hand-held electronic devices, including cell phones. The quote from the cop, who said it would be enforceable, was probably referring to people who are holding a cell phone up to their ear while driving. Those people will be easy to spot and ticket.

It is true that it's hard to enforce a law which prohibits texting while driving. But the difficulty of enforcement shouldn't be an issue when deciding whether to enact a law or not. There are many laws that are difficult to enforce, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't have them. Laws are a way of codifying what we as a society believe is acceptable or non-acceptable behavior. Enforceability isn't a part of this equation.

I hope this bill goes through. It's even better than the one Mufi vetoed because it includes cell phones and music devices too. I guess electric shavers will be prohibited as well. And cordless electric drills too, which is a shame because I like to work on carpentry projects while I make my morning commute.

I support this bill. What I do not support is the flip-flop from:
It will be "unenforceable"
to
"It's very practicable and enforceable," said Maj. Thomas Nitta,

Sadly, these broader bills have gone down in flames in the past.

However, if an accident does occur when texting is occurring, it would be easy enough to prove (via the mobile phone records), and that would mean stiffer penalties against the user.

Man I hope Young Street gets some love.

The bill advances from it's first step, it will require at least two more readings before it can be passed on to the mayor for signature.

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090319_bill_to_ban_drivers_phone_use_advances.html

Hopefully the City Council will learn from the military here, why they should also ban hands free cell phone use.



Councilmembers advanced the proposal, saying they wanted to get more input on the issue as it goes back to committee for more crafting. Among those they want to hear from are military officials, because the use of cell phones is banned on all military bases, even with a hands-free device.

YES!!!!!

Council votes to ban use of cell phones while driving
The Honolulu City Council this morning passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann has said he supports such a ban. If he signs it, the law would take effect July 1.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090422/BREAKING01/90422050

I am elated. Since cell phones while driving have become ubiquitous, I have seen or been a part of way too many close calls by distracted drivers. This is great news for Hawaii.

I posted this ^^ but the thread didn't bump to the top. I'm trying this again to see if it bumps.

I posted this ^^ but the thread didn't bump to the top. I'm trying this again to see if it bumps.

Odd indeed. I am glad to see that the council passed this, though.

Bump.

Bump.

Thanks, East Hill!

Thanks, East Hill!

You're welcome. I think it was the server issues earlier that wouldn't allow the thread to be bumped correctly.

Good job Honolulu!

In WA it's a secondary offense. If you do something illegal while using a hand-held, then, you can get a second infraction. Otherwise, it's same-old same-old.

I'm sorry I maybe in the minority on this but this is the dumbest thing to single out cell phone users. Look at how many people eat, read, put on makeup, smoke, and yet none of these are ever talked about. I have had a cell phone for over 17yrs and have never caused an accident or anything else. So flame me if you want but this is just STUPID IMO, and I even think WA Law is just as dumb.

I'm sorry I maybe in the minority on this but this is the dumbest thing to single out cell phone users. Look at how many people eat, read, put on makeup, smoke, and yet none of these are ever talked about. I have had a cell phone for over 17yrs and have never caused an accident or anything else. So flame me if you want but this is just STUPID IMO, and I even think WA Law is just as dumb.


"June 29, 2006 -- Three years after the preliminary results first were presented at a scientific meeting and drew wide attention, University of Utah psychologists have published a study showing that motorists who talk on handheld or hands-free cellular phones are as impaired as drunken drivers."

http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062206-1

Some of the other distractions that you mentioned may be dangerous as well. That doesn't mean that we should just continue to allow cell phone use while driving when it is clearly a problem.

I wish them all the very best.It has been illegal to use mobile phones here in OZ for a few years now.I am on the road most days of the week driving a truck and I see it going on every day that I'm out.Our state government annouched a couple of weeks ago that the got over $900,000 in fines for people using mobile phones in the car.But it still goes on.