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 Previous: FCC Queries Wireless Internet Provider About Interference to Hams |  Next: Amateur Radio in the Kingdom of Bhutan |
NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 15, 2001--A group of Maine amateurs, including ARRL Section Manager Bill Woodhead, N1KAT, trooped to the State House in Augusta this week to testify against bills that would make it illegal to use hand-held electronic devices such as cellphones while driving.
The more stringent of the two measures, LD 95, was introduced by Rep Joseph E. Brooks. His bill would restrict the use of hand-held cellular telephones as well as "computers, Citizens Band radios, dictaphones, microphones and other electronic devices" that are not essential to the operation of a vehicle on Maine's highways.
 Those attending the hearing on LD 95 in Augusta, Maine (L-R): N1EP, K1PIG, KD1KE, N1KGS, N1NYW, N1XUB, KB1AQE, WM1C, N1XDI, N1KAT, KC1AC, K1NIT, and KA1RFD. |
The other, less restrictive bill is sponsored by Rep Gerald E. Bouffard. Both bills would permit the use of hands-free accessories for cellular telephones used on the road.
The Maine Legislature's Transportation Committee reviewed both bills during a public hearing February 12. Most of the testimony opposed the proposed restrictions, with Amateur Radio operators and cellular telephone providers most prevalent among the speakers. The state Highway Safety Bureau took "a neutral position," according to a report in the Bangor Daily News.
Woodhead said Maine's amateur community was well-represented. Among those speaking in opposition to Brooks' bill were Rep Tom Windsor, KA1LUN; Maine Section Emergency Coordinator Max Soucia, N1KGS; former Maine Section Manager Michelle Mann, WM1C; former State Treasurer Rod Scribner, KA1RFD, and George Harris, W1QUI. Woodhead said that ARRL State Government Liaison Joe Kozak helped coordinate the statewide effort to oppose the bill but was unable to make the hearing session. Several other hams turned out to provide moral support.
"February 21 there will be the [legislative] workshop on LD 95, and, hopefully, it will be killed there," Woodhead said.
Brooks' bill would provide for a fine of not less than $100 for the first violation and $200 for the second violation and $250 for the third and subsequent violations within one year. It would exempt law enforcement and safety personnel, drivers of authorized emergency vehicles, holders of commercial drivers' licenses driving within the scope of their employment, and public transit personnel.
California, Florida and Massachusetts limit cell phone use in moving vehicles, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, but no states have instituted outright bans on cellphone use by drivers. Several states, including Arizona, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania are considering bills that would ban the use of hand-held cellphones, however, and a number of localities already have put such laws into effect.
A proposal put into the legislative hopper earlier this year in the Arizona Senate, SB 1005, would prohibit the use of cellphones, personal computers, "or any other electronic device that is not installed by the manufacturer and that is not essential to the operation of the motor vehicle," but the bill specifically excludes from its provisions the use of Amateur Radio gear by FCC licensees. The bill failed a vote in the Commerce Committee on January 17; it's being held by the Transportation Committee.
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