Some Lawmakers Push For Ban On Cell Phones While Driving

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Posted: 9:21 PM Jan 14, 2009
Last Updated: 12:12 PM Jan 15, 2009
Reporter: McKenzie Martin
Email Address: mmartin@kktv.com

17 comments

Poll

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We've all done it; talking on our cell phones while driving. Now some Colorado lawmakers want it to stop. They're pushing a bill to ban all hand held cell phone use behind the wheel.

Should there be a ban on talking on your cell phone while driving?

Yes

The recent death of a Colorado child is what prompted this; a 9-year-old was killed in Fort Collins while riding her bike. Police say the woman who hit her was talking on a cell phone.

Darren Forney says he misses his 9-year-old daughter Erica more and more everyday.

"She was always making us laugh and making us smile," Forney said.

On November 25th, Erica was riding her bike when she was hit by an SUV; she died two days later. Police say the woman who hit Erica was on her cell phone when she swerved into the bike lane.

"I think there should be a law. Any law that would help prevent tragedies like this from happening, that would be a law that I would support," Forney said.

Five states have already passed hands free driving laws and lawmakers say recent studies show talking on your cell while driving is just as dangerous as driving drunk.

Drivers we spoke with say they agree talking on your cell phone while driving is distracting.

"It happens a lot, everywhere," said one driver.

"They try to take a corner, holding a phone, can't make it around the corner,” said another.

Lawmakers have tried this before in Colorado, but have failed. The Forneys are hopeful this year that will change and drivers will think twice. They don't want any other family to go through what they have.

According to the Colorado State Patrol at least five people were killed in accidents that involved cells phones just last year. Twelve have been killed in the past two years.

If this law passes, drivers caught talking could be ticketed and fined, that is unless they use a hands free device.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: kitty Location: brighton co on Jan 26, 2009 at 11:15 AM
wow that is so sad! but some people need to understand that cell phones arn't good when driving! if you need your cell phone in your car have a bluetooth hooked up that way you can still talk and be able to focuse on the road at the same time. and even if you have your bluetooth hooked up don't text this requires you to look at a screen instead of at the road.

Posted by: Krystal Location: CO on Jan 16, 2009 at 10:05 AM
I completely support this idea, I think if someone has a phone call while in the car, they should have to pull over. In driving school, they didn't teach you how to drive with a cell phone in your hand. I guess the hands free and earpiece would be ok but I think that your mind should be focused on driving only.

Posted by: Stephanie Location: Colorado Springs on Jan 16, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Kay and Stumped, I never said my 2 year old was "so unimaginable" that I couldn't drive or that if he got to that point, I wouldn't pull over, I merely stated that children, in and of themselves, are distractions while driving. Unless you have God's children, that's a fact of life. Banning cell phones is not an enforceable law, plain and simple. Just like that seatbelt law that's in place, that's not enforceable. Some stupid law like this is just opening the door for racial profiling, prejudice, etc. As if there's not enough of that that goes on already.

Posted by: Stumped on Jan 16, 2009 at 07:15 AM
I have 3 kids. If my kids became a distraction to where i couldn't concentrate guess what I pulled over because no ones life is worth it. I friend of mine was in a car crash and the driver was talking on the cell phone. She will never walk again because some inconsiderate FOOL decided not to pull over to hold the concentration. And for the people using the music excuse take a lesson in how your brain works. Listening and signing to music does not take the same brain activity as trying to hold a converstation. And yes I have talk on my cell phone while driving before and almost had an accident because it is distracting and will never do it again. Anyone that says they can focus completely on their driving is flat out lying.

Posted by: Kay on Jan 15, 2009 at 10:06 PM
Cell phones should only be used in emergencies and when a vehicle is pulled over out of the way of moving traffic. And ya, loud music and make up drivers should be ticketed too when officers see it. Same as speeders. It's selfish and endangering others. What do we expect out of the 'ME' generation ? Unless they have had a 9 year old's life taken, it's not a big deal, is it ? By the way, I've had 4 kids and I never had a 2 year old so unmanagable I couldn't drive with them. Sad.

Posted by: NATIVE Location: COLORADO SPRINGS on Jan 15, 2009 at 02:23 PM
THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES....THE IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES WHO MAKE IT BAD FOR THE REST. I SEE THEM NEARLY EVERY DAY...SWERVING IN TRAFFIC, PUTTING ON THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON, GOING SO SLOW IT BACKS UP TRAFFIC. THAT DOESN'T EVEN COUNT THE ONES THAT CAUSE ACCIDENTS. TOO BAD GOVERNMENT HAS TO EVEN GET IN THIS--BUT THE JERKS IN OUR SOCIETY GOT IT GOING

Posted by: Tina Location: Colorado Springs on Jan 15, 2009 at 12:42 PM
What ever happened to personal responsibility people? Why do we need laws that regulated everything we do? When do we start accepting personal responsibility for our actions? It is getting riduculous that we need to pass laws like this. Where is your common sense? If you need to talk on the phone that much, then either pull over or use a hand free set. Let's outlaw automatic shifting cars! If you're driving a standard shift car, you need your hands free, one to steer with and another one to shift with.

Posted by: Stephanie Location: Colorado Springs on Jan 15, 2009 at 10:23 AM
This is not even enforceable. There are plenty of other distractions while driving a vehicle. I have a 2 year old son who's a constant distraction while driving. Does that mean a law should be passed to prevent children from riding in cars because the are distractions? Get real. It's about the individual driver, not the outside influences of that driver. They should know whether or not they can do other things while driving and whether or not it is safe. What if someone was kidnapped and used a cell phone to try and get help? Would the cops give them a ticket for trying to save their life? If it's not one thing, it's another. No one will ever be satisfied with how things are, they just need to constantly find something to pick at.

Posted by: Richard Location: Co Springs on Jan 15, 2009 at 10:02 AM
With police departments and the budget cuts they face, with the calls that back up, and cuts in shift officers, I can't see how law enforcement will be able to enforce this if it becomes a law. It would only be an infraction which is a fine. People are going to ignore the law just like they still love to speed, tailgate, and drive without seatbelts. All this law will do is cause people who see this infraction occur in other vehicles, get angry at the motorist breaking the law and may lead up to a road rage incident in some instances. Why not quit making frivilous laws and accept that people are going to die on the roads no matter what you try to incorporate on us. What next? Remove the radios out of our cars because we sing and our focus is on having an enjoyable time. Where is it going to end and we can just live without constantly being told what to do and how to do it?

Posted by: Samantha Location: Canon City on Jan 15, 2009 at 08:18 AM
I 100% agree with the ban on call phone usage while driving, I have came close many time with accidents because I was either cut off by someone on a cell phone, or texting while driving, I think that is dangerous, and should be banned. I see more teenagers texting, talking or other, while driving, If the ban doesn't go thru then it should be passed where at the very least you would be required to pull over to talk on a phone.

Posted by: Joyce Location: Pueblo on Jan 15, 2009 at 07:17 AM
I think cell phone use while driving including hands free devices, should be outlawed. Your mind should be completely on your driving. I still pull over or ignore mine when driving. Can't think of one phone conversation that is more important than a human life.

Posted by: peppermill Location: security on Jan 15, 2009 at 06:55 AM
What about all the Deputy Sheriff's I see chatting on their cell phones? Will this include them?

Posted by: Ian Location: Colorado Springs on Jan 15, 2009 at 06:41 AM
For ones they are looking to stop one of the most dangerous driving habits in America, how many times do you drive down an road in Springs and get cut up or someone canges lane with inches to spare because they have a cell phone stuck in there ear, Its a great thing but the police should be able to pull them over and fine them on the spot no secondery offence thats just putting the law there and saying to the police here it is but you cant use it, if you brake the law you get stopped end of story. and yes i use a cell phone via bluetooth.

Posted by: Bob Location: Colorado Springs on Jan 15, 2009 at 06:30 AM
It is truly a shame when someone is injured, mamed or killed. It is criminal when someone causes damage to the property of others. It is hideous when the media/authorities hype these facts to promote an agenda! Are cell phones more dangerous than make up, food, music. Are there not laws, already in place, that these can be used to condem and prosecute criminal acts? Don't the police have enough things to concentrate on already. Why is this really going to change anything? Prosecute the guilty, educate the uninformed.

Posted by: Isaac Location: Colorado Springs, CO/ Iraq on Jan 15, 2009 at 05:56 AM
Was the 9 year old girl who was killed wearing a helmet or any other protective gear while riding her bike? I do agree that the use cellphones while driving is dangerous. Hands free devices are available and fairly inexpensive. But so are bike helmets. I am not trying to take blame away from the driver of the SUV, but a bike helmet goes along. Growing up in California a bike helmet has been a must for many years. Passing a simple law like this along with the cellphones while driving law could prevent accidents like this from happening. But whats the next step no music in the vehicle while driving?

Posted by: jen Location: pueblo on Jan 15, 2009 at 02:45 AM
GREAT Idea. I totally support this as many people cannot talk on cell phone and give driving attention needed. Many lives will be saved.

Posted by: Jon Location: Colo Springs on Jan 14, 2009 at 11:52 PM
"We've all done it; talking on our cell phones while driving." That's not true. Some of us are not tied to our cell phones and are able to drive safely without unnecessary distractions. It's about time others realize there is life without constant cell phone usage.

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