Cell-phone proposal clears Senate panel
January 23, 2009 | Virginia News
A bill that would prohibit motorists from using cell phones that do not have hands-free accessories while driving cleared the Senate Transportation Committee yesterday.
"Basically it's about distracted driving," said Sen. Patricia S. Ticer, D-Alexandria, sponsor of Senate Bill 874. Ticer cited statistics showing that drivers are four times more likely to get into a motor-vehicle accident when they are speaking on a cell phone.
The committee, however, narrowly rejected another motor-vehicle safety bill (SB 970) that would allow police to pull over vehicles when the driver or front seat passengers are not using safety belts.
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