Once again this year, a bill to ban using a hand-held cellphone while driving is scheduled for review before the House Transportation Committee. The measure comes from St. Martin Parish representative Mike Huval. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says his organization supports Huval’s bill, as they have in the past…:
“I think though that this is the year that it DOES get through, and I say that because I think we’ve now reached near-epidemic levels of people being distracted behind the wheel.”
Similar bills have been filed for many years, by Huval and other lawmakers before him, but the bill has never made it to final passage. Redman says Huval’s bill would only restrict HOW you use your phone while driving…:
“That doesn’t mean you can’t TALK on the phone. You can, if you have Bluetooth or iof your car comes wired with a phone in-system.”
Huval’s HB 580 would mandate one could only use a cell phone hands-freed while behind the wheel. A first offense would mean a fine of $50 to $100, but subsequent offenses could mean fines up to $300 with community service and possible license revocation. Redman says AAA is behind the bill, and passing it could even mean a break on your auto insurance, because we have so many distracted driving crashes…:
“Those state that have passed a hands-free legislation have actually seen insurance rates reduced anywhere between 4.75-percent to 6 and a half.”
Huval’s bill is scheduled today in House Transportation.
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