Cell Phone Ban, but not Really

The Mass. House voted today to ban texting and cell phone use while driving but allowed an exception for drivers who use hands-free devices. The bill also requires drivers over 75 years of age to renew their licenses in person (including a vision test) every 5 years.

While there is near unanimity in support of banning texting, the hands-free law is more controversial. Washington, D.C. enacted a hands-free law 5 years ago, and a recent study found no impact on safety. The issue--opponents of these bans argue--is distracted driving, not the idea that an accident occurs because the driver is dialing a number or doesn't have both hands on the wheel. Another study last month created even more controversy--as blogged about by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation--when it declared that cell phone bans don't accomplish anything.

Laws don't change behavior, but doing nothing is unacceptable as well. Perhaps this law will be passed this time (it was killed in the Senate when it last passed the House) and create some momentum towards discouraging distracted driving.