Connecticut Cell Phone Bill Dies

Connecticut came the closest yet among the states to outlawing the use of handheld mobile phones while driving, but the bill died a quiet death this week.

According to The Hartford Courant, the legislature's public safety committee refused to take up the issue. Because not enough lawmakers on the committee supported the measure, it was believed the bill would most likely not get much further.
Two weeks ago, Connecticut's House of Representatives was the first legislative chamber in the country to approve such a bill. But Senate leaders opposed to the bill referred it to the public safety committee, according to the paper.
The bill could show up again as an amendment to another bill, but there are only three weeks left in the session and that appears unlikely. Rep. Richard Roy, a Democrat from Milford, Conn., and the sponsor of the bill, vowed to bring it back next year.
Under the bill, drivers would have been fined $75 if they were caught using hand-held mobile phones, except in emergencies.
Opponents said the bill was too narrow, singling out only one type out of many driving distractions that can lead to crashes. A broader inattentive driving bill is currently on the Senate calendar waiting for action.
The mobile phone industry also lobbied heavily against the bill.
Similar bills have been introduced in more than 35 other states, but none has gotten very far.