Council: Hang up and drive Detroit cell phone ban goes to mayor
May 4, 2006
Three states -- New York, New Jersey and Connecticut -- ban handheld cell phone use by drivers.
Shelby Township, in Macomb County, was the first Michigan municipality to adopt a distracted-driving ordinance in 2002. It's a civil infraction for a driver to shift attention away from the road for any reason. Woodhaven and Clinton Township also have similar distracted-driver laws. In those three locales, the fine can go up to $500.
Chatting options
The Detroit City Council approved a ban on handheld cell phones, but the new law allows drivers to use hands-free devices. Some options:
• Headsets: These gadgets plug into a cell phone and the microphone is attached to the earpiece. The sets start under $20.
• Wireless headsets: These earpieces receive from a cell phone and require no plug-in to the cell phone. They can range from $50 for a standard earpiece to $250 for fashion sunglasses with an earpiece attached to it. Verizon Wireless also offers a wireless device the size of a pen that clips to your lapel and sells for $130.
• Car mounts: The plastic mounts clip on or adhere to the dashboard and allow drivers to use the speakerphone option on their phone. They start at $20.
In addition to high-tech phones that use voice-activated dialing and fancy earpieces, drivers also can go super-high tech by installing Bluetooth systems in their cars. They connect through the radio and cost $100 to $200. Such systems already come standard in some cars. Other services, such as Onstar, also provide wireless cell phone communication through the car.
Sources: Cingular and Verizon Wireless.
Driving in Detroit? Chatting? Cell phone in hand? You've been warned.
If the Detroit City Council gets its way, drivers in the Motor City won't be able to use handheld cell phones while behind the wheel. And if the police catch you gabbing and driving? That'll be $100, please.
In an 8-1 vote, the council passed a ban Wednesday allowing motorists to use only hands-free phone devices when they talk and drive.
The bill now goes to Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
If he signs the bill, it would go into effect in two weeks. A spokesman said Kilpatrick is reviewing the impact of such bans in other cities and states.
While figures aren't available to show how many drivers come through Detroit daily, there are 2.8 million licensed drivers in the tri-county area, according to state figures.
"It doesn't take but a second for you to dial a phone and look away from the road," said Councilwoman Martha Reeves, who voted for the bill. "It's a safety issue. Other cities have adopted it and it's needed in the city of Detroit."
Three states -- Connecticut, New York and New Jersey -- and several major cities, including Washington, New York and Chicago, have passed bans on handheld cell phones.
Locally, Shelby and Clinton townships, and Woodhaven have enacted similar bans. Drivers can be additionally ticketed for distracted driving if a violation occurs while talking on a cell phone or similar activity. Their fines could reach $500. Some city drivers and police, who would be charged with enforcing the law, question its effectiveness.
Detroiter Leigh Smith runs a nonemergency medical transportation service in the city. He's not so keen on the ban, which, if passed, would mean he would have to buy hands-free headsets so his drivers can call clients or passengers en route.
"I'm not saying it's not legitimate to look at, but cell phone users are picked out when there are so any other distractions," he said. "I see people putting makeup on, eating."
Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel voted against the ban, saying she was concerned it would give police another opportunity to harass drivers needlessly. Police say they have their worries. Spokesman James Tate said, "That is something we're going to have to discuss. Right now, I just don't know."
Officers worry the ban would become another law that's difficult to enforce, similar to one passed by the council in 2004 banning loud music in cars. Fines start at $100.
Figures were not immediately available on the tickets issued under that ordinance.
The president of the police union said police already fall behind on runs because the department is so shorthanded.
"I don't know how we're going to enforce cell phone use when we have carjackings and felonious assaults and other crimes," said Marty Bandemer, president of the Detroit Police Officers Association.
Bandemer said the only way such a law could work in Detroit is if the city hired code enforcement officers, similar to meter maids.
Police officials said the department doesn't keep statistics on how many accidents are caused by cell phone use.
State Police data for 2004, the latest year available, show cell phone use may have contributed to five fatal crashes, compared with 189 caused by drunken drivers.
Washington, D.C., which has had its ban on the books since 2004, issued almost 7,500 tickets to drivers using handheld phones in 2005, according to a city Web site. In January 2006, the latest posting, there were 399 tickets issued. The city does not have data on the effect of the ban on car accidents, a spokesman said.
Nationally, one study by the University of Utah estimated last year that cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries annually.
Nancy Cain, a spokeswoman for AAA Michigan, said the organization does not support efforts to ban handheld phones because there is no evidence that they are effective.
"The main thing you want to do while you're driving is drive," she said.
May 4, 2006
Three states -- New York, New Jersey and Connecticut -- ban handheld cell phone use by drivers.
Shelby Township, in Macomb County, was the first Michigan municipality to adopt a distracted-driving ordinance in 2002. It's a civil infraction for a driver to shift attention away from the road for any reason. Woodhaven and Clinton Township also have similar distracted-driver laws. In those three locales, the fine can go up to $500.
Chatting options
The Detroit City Council approved a ban on handheld cell phones, but the new law allows drivers to use hands-free devices. Some options:
• Headsets: These gadgets plug into a cell phone and the microphone is attached to the earpiece. The sets start under $20.
• Wireless headsets: These earpieces receive from a cell phone and require no plug-in to the cell phone. They can range from $50 for a standard earpiece to $250 for fashion sunglasses with an earpiece attached to it. Verizon Wireless also offers a wireless device the size of a pen that clips to your lapel and sells for $130.
• Car mounts: The plastic mounts clip on or adhere to the dashboard and allow drivers to use the speakerphone option on their phone. They start at $20.
In addition to high-tech phones that use voice-activated dialing and fancy earpieces, drivers also can go super-high tech by installing Bluetooth systems in their cars. They connect through the radio and cost $100 to $200. Such systems already come standard in some cars. Other services, such as Onstar, also provide wireless cell phone communication through the car.
Sources: Cingular and Verizon Wireless.
Driving in Detroit? Chatting? Cell phone in hand? You've been warned.
If the Detroit City Council gets its way, drivers in the Motor City won't be able to use handheld cell phones while behind the wheel. And if the police catch you gabbing and driving? That'll be $100, please.
In an 8-1 vote, the council passed a ban Wednesday allowing motorists to use only hands-free phone devices when they talk and drive.
The bill now goes to Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
If he signs the bill, it would go into effect in two weeks. A spokesman said Kilpatrick is reviewing the impact of such bans in other cities and states.
While figures aren't available to show how many drivers come through Detroit daily, there are 2.8 million licensed drivers in the tri-county area, according to state figures.
"It doesn't take but a second for you to dial a phone and look away from the road," said Councilwoman Martha Reeves, who voted for the bill. "It's a safety issue. Other cities have adopted it and it's needed in the city of Detroit."
Three states -- Connecticut, New York and New Jersey -- and several major cities, including Washington, New York and Chicago, have passed bans on handheld cell phones.
Locally, Shelby and Clinton townships, and Woodhaven have enacted similar bans. Drivers can be additionally ticketed for distracted driving if a violation occurs while talking on a cell phone or similar activity. Their fines could reach $500. Some city drivers and police, who would be charged with enforcing the law, question its effectiveness.
Detroiter Leigh Smith runs a nonemergency medical transportation service in the city. He's not so keen on the ban, which, if passed, would mean he would have to buy hands-free headsets so his drivers can call clients or passengers en route.
"I'm not saying it's not legitimate to look at, but cell phone users are picked out when there are so any other distractions," he said. "I see people putting makeup on, eating."
Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel voted against the ban, saying she was concerned it would give police another opportunity to harass drivers needlessly. Police say they have their worries. Spokesman James Tate said, "That is something we're going to have to discuss. Right now, I just don't know."
Officers worry the ban would become another law that's difficult to enforce, similar to one passed by the council in 2004 banning loud music in cars. Fines start at $100.
Figures were not immediately available on the tickets issued under that ordinance.
The president of the police union said police already fall behind on runs because the department is so shorthanded.
"I don't know how we're going to enforce cell phone use when we have carjackings and felonious assaults and other crimes," said Marty Bandemer, president of the Detroit Police Officers Association.
Bandemer said the only way such a law could work in Detroit is if the city hired code enforcement officers, similar to meter maids.
Police officials said the department doesn't keep statistics on how many accidents are caused by cell phone use.
State Police data for 2004, the latest year available, show cell phone use may have contributed to five fatal crashes, compared with 189 caused by drunken drivers.
Washington, D.C., which has had its ban on the books since 2004, issued almost 7,500 tickets to drivers using handheld phones in 2005, according to a city Web site. In January 2006, the latest posting, there were 399 tickets issued. The city does not have data on the effect of the ban on car accidents, a spokesman said.
Nationally, one study by the University of Utah estimated last year that cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries annually.
Nancy Cain, a spokeswoman for AAA Michigan, said the organization does not support efforts to ban handheld phones because there is no evidence that they are effective.
"The main thing you want to do while you're driving is drive," she said.
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