Published: July 31, 2007 11:13 am      

Cell drivers targeted

Measure would impose mandatory jail for phone-related crashes

ADA — While the debate over cellular phone use while behind the wheel continues, the issue is a no-brainer for state Rep. Paul Wesselhoft. That’s why he plans to introduce legislation that will discourage DWB — driving while blabbing.

“There’s no doubt that it is dangerous to talk on a cell phone while driving on our roadways,” said Wesselhoft, R-Moore. “Recently, a 17-year-old in New York was driving and text-messaging a friend when her vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming truck. She and four passengers — all recent high school graduates — were killed.”

Wesselhoft, chair of the House Industry and Labor Committee, said the number of accidents caused by inattentive drivers who were using cell phones are on the rise. And statistics back him up.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, reports of cell phone-related vehicle accidents skyrocketed from 98 in 1998 to 802 in 2006.

“The OHSO reported that there were three persons killed and 36 others incapacitated in 2006 in accidents where cell phones were a major factor,” said Wesselhoft, an ordained Southern Baptist minister and retired U.S. Army Ranger who served on the front lines during the First Gulf War.

His bill will call for a mandatory 20-day jail sentences and $1,000 fines where automobile accidents can be attributed to cell-phone use.

“It may seem like harsh punishment to some,” said Wesselhoft, who represents District 54 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. “But this is a serious problem. Those who are talking on cell phones while behind the wheel are putting themselves and others in danger.”

The Moore legislator filed a bill in 2005 that would have required “hands-free” cell phones in vehicles, but the measure failed to make it out of committee hearings.

“Each year, more and more accidents are the result of talking on cell phones while driving,” Wesselhoft said,. “Hopefully, this bill will be supported this time around. Even with the sharp rise in accidents, law enforcement officials tell me that they know many cell phone-related accidents go unreported.”

Elsewhere, several states have already enacted laws to deal with the escalating problem. California, Connecticut, New York, Washington and the District of Columbia have bans on driving while talking on hand-held cellular phones. And six states — Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania — allow localities to ban cell phone use, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Oklahoma law prohibits localities from banning the use of cell phones while behind the wheel.

“I hope a result of passing a bill like this will be to encourage strongly drivers to pull off the road to a safe area if they must use their cell phones,” Wesselhoft said. “This will save people from serious injury or death. There’s no reason for more innocent lives to be lost because a phone call or text ‘couldn’t’ wait.”

If passed, the measure will not ban the use of cell phones while driving. Rather, it will penalize those who cause accidents through inattention.

Some opponents oppose such a measure because it would open the door for the same penalties for drivers who are distracted when they are eating, fiddling with a tape player or any other number of activities that creates inattentive driving.

The state Legislature convenes in February and ends in May each year.

“I hope my bill is taken seriously because I think saving a person’s life is a serious issue,” Wesselhoft said. “If the bill passes, the public will be amazed how many accidents will be attributed to cell phone use.”