Cell Phone Bill Gains Support,

But Not From Gov Rowland

HARTFORD (AP) — A bill to prohibit the use of hand-held cellular telephones while driving gained momentum last week as a legislative leader and a union representing state police troopers endorsed it.

House Speaker Moira Lyons, D-Stamford, said she supports the bill by state Rep Richard Roy, a Milford Democrat who has been pushing the proposal for years. Rep Lyons’ support came as Rep Roy announced that the Connecticut State Police Union endorsed the bill.

The bill would make it illegal to use hand-held cell phones while driving, except during emergencies. Proponents say inexpensive equipment allows for hands-free operation of cell phones.

The bill has failed in past sessions after critics argued that the ban would be difficult to enforce and that motorists are more distracted by other activities. Supporters contend the bill would reduce accidents caused by distracted drivers.

“It’s a commonsense type of bill,” said Dennis O’Brien, director of political affairs for the police union. “The operation of a hand-held cell phone does impair someone’s driving.”

Rep Lyons said she had concerns in the past that the bill was too broad. The currently bill is more narrowly focused on hand-held phones, she noted.

“I would say it has a lot more support this year than last year,” Rep Lyons said. “There is a greater awareness that it is a problem.”

But Gov John G. Rowland was less enthusiastic.

“My civil libertarian blood boils,” Gov Rowland said when asked about the proposal. “I’m not a great believer that government should be dictating everything we do in our lives whether inside of our houses or inside of our cars.”

Gov Rowland also questioned how the law would be enforced.

“That one’s a little below my radar,” Gov Rowland said.

Rep Roy is more determined to get the bill passed this session after his sister was seriously injured in a recent car accident in East Haven. Police attributed the crash to a driver allegedly distracted while reaching for a cell phone.

But state Sen Biagio “Billy” Ciotto, co-chairman of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, where the bill is pending, has said he is skeptical that a ban would stop the widespread use of cell phones by drivers. Sen Ciotto said he wants to form a task force involving police, cell phone representatives, and others to study the number of accidents caused by cell phone use and develop recommendations.

No state has banned cellular phones in cars, although several have laws that impose restrictions on cell phone use in moving vehicles, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. At least nine cities or counties nationwide now require drivers to use hands-free adapters with cell phones, which now number nearly 100 million nationwide.