House Transportation approves bill to prohibit drivers from using handheld cellphones

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The House Transportation Committee approved a bill Monday that would ban drivers from using a handheld cell phone while driving. Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso says a person behind the wheel more focused on their phone than the road is a threat to other motorists.

“The data shows that distracted driving, use of their cell phone is more dangerous than drunk driving,” Glorioso said.

The Louisiana Legislature has rejected similar proposals to the past, but supporters of a ban on handling your c”ell phone while driving say the proposed legislation can help reduce auto insurance rates, by reducing crashes.

But Alexandria defense attorney Ed Tarpley doubts this proposed law can reduce auto insurance rates.

“The only person whose insurance premium will definitely increase will be the person who gets the moving violation, because as we all know, insurance companies increase our rates if we receive a moving violation,” Gloriso said.

Highway safety advocates say a ban on handheld cell phones while driving in Louisiana is needed. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the actual talking on a handheld device is not that big of a problem, it’s the texting while driving, the use of social media, or streaming video that’s the real distraction.

“Using the device to make a phone call is ranked number 10 behind streaming movies, video chats, shopping, and other incredibly distracting activities that increase the likelihood of being involved in a crash,” Redman said.

Tarpley questions how the proposed law would be enforced and he also believes it’s an overreach of government regulation.

“This is a step too far, this will penalize citizens in Louisiana who have come to use their cell phones every day,” Tarpley said.

The measure advances to the House floor for more discussion.