The Maryland Senate moved forward yesterday with legislation intended to improve traffic safety by banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving and by allowing law enforcement agencies to post cameras to catch speeders.
After days of parliamentary moves and ardent debate, the Senate gave preliminary approval to the cell phone measure, which had appeared dead last week but now heads to a final vote in that chamber. Senators also approved the speed camera legislation after several days of debate.
The debate now shifts to the House of Delegates. That chamber is expected this week to take up speed cameras, which are backed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. But prospects for the cell phone ban are more uncertain.
A number of Maryland lawmakers have championed bills to prohibit drivers from using cell phones over the past decade, but the proposal has stalled even as the idea has gained momentum in other states. The District of Columbia and New York have enacted similar bans.
"Talking on the cell phone while driving can be very distracting," said Sen. Norman R. Stone Jr., a Baltimore County Democrat. He referred to studies showing that cell phone use can be a leading contributor to accidents. "They compare it to driving while under the influence."
But opponents contend that other activities, such as eating or putting on makeup, are also dangerous and that drivers often have good reasons for using the phone. Sen. Alex X. Mooney, a Frederick County Republican, offered hypothetical examples, including a young woman who gets lost late at night and needs to call someone for directions.
"Don't take away cell phones from law-abiding citizens who need to use it for legitimate purposes," he urged his colleagues.
Sen. John C. Astle, an Anne Arundel County Democrat, proposed adding a ban on GPS devices in vehicles, arguing that they are a major distraction as well, but that amendment failed to pass.
The Senate had voted last week to limit the bill to prohibit only reading or sending text messages on wireless communications devices while behind the wheel. Proponents said that change would sink the bill in the House, which has already voted down texting-only bans. Senators yesterday voted 25-22 to restore the broader ban on talking and texting.
