A House of Delegates committee defeated a proposal yesterday for a statewide ban on using cell phones while driving and another bill that would have allowed police to use radar cameras to catch speeders.
Also yesterday, a House subcommittee voted to reject a bill to put the issue of legalizing slot machines before Maryland voters this fall, likely killing the measure.
For the fourth consecutive year, the House Commerce and Government Matters Committee decided not to make it illegal for drivers to talk on the phone while driving.
Del. John S. Arnick, a Baltimore County Democrat, had expected an accident last month on the Capitol Beltway that killed five people would give his legislation more momentum this year.
"I think [the committee] was wrong, particularly this week when we passed a bill that said it is a terrible distraction if someone is in the back seat drinking a beer," said Arnick, referring to a bill the House passed Thursday banning open containers of alcohol in moving vehicles.
"Yet you can hold the phone with one hand or take both hands off the wheel and drive?" Arnick asked.
Arnick's bill would have required motorists to pull over or use hands-free devices while talking on the phone.
Several other states and the U.S. Congress are considering similar legislation. A New York law banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving took effect in November.
Last month, an Arlington, Va., woman in a sport utility vehicle and four people from Canada riding in a minivan were killed on the Capitol Beltway in Prince George's County. Police said the woman's SUV jumped the guardrail and landed on the minivan traveling in the opposite direction.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident because the woman apparently was talking on a cell phone when it occurred.
Arnick noted that his bill got several more votes this year than it did in the past, but still fell three votes short of a majority.
Del. James E. Malone Jr., a Baltimore County Democrat, said he voted against the bill because he believes police have the tools they need to target distracted drivers.
"Where do you draw the line?" Malone said, noting the state already has a reckless driving law. "How do you differentiate between cell phones and people putting on makeup or eating or reading a book, or everything else people do in a car?"
