Testimony for and against legislation to ban the use of touching your cell phone while driving in House Transportation was emotional this morning. Port Allen motorcyclist Anthony Summers supports the bill after being the victim of an accident caused by a distracted driver on their phone. He said the losses from the incident total more than $80 thousand.
“My whole goal of this testimony today is to make it to where people in the state of Louisiana can drive safely and they can go to and arrive at their destinations in a safe manner,” said Summers.
Kenner resident Connie Zimmerman opposes the bill for several reasons and told committee members it violates one’s liberties.
“It is not your duty to protect us as individuals, we are responsible for that, but it is your sworn duty to protect our collective liberty. The USA was never meant to be a police state,” said Zimmerman.
Touching your cell phone while driving would be a secondary offense, meaning you could only be charged if you were first pulled over for another violation, as speeding. It would be considered a primary offense in school and construction zones.
Chris Alexander with Louisiana Citizen Advocacy Group also spoke against the bill. He said in testimony from previous legislative attempts the bill’s author has said the ultimate goal is to get rid of phones in vehicles altogether.
“This sets a precedent whereby further infringements of freedom and liberty very likely can and will occur,” said Alexander.
The bill passed in committee without objection. The bill has already received Senate approval.
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