Committee passes cell-phone ban

The House Transportation Committee just passed the bill that bans talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving. The bill exempts drivers who use hands-free devices or headsets, though under an amendment approved before the bill passed, drivers under 18 can’t use a mobile phone at all while driving.

House Transportation Committee Chair Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, makes a point Tuesday. By Richard Mauer.

House Bill 22 now moves to the House Judiciary Committee. If it makes it through the Alaska Legislature intact, it would take effect July 1.

While the bill passed from the transportation committee without official objections, three Republicans complained about it and seemed unconvinced that it was necessary to prevent distracted driving.

One, Eric Feige, R-Chickaloon, said he thought the law was an attack on freedom and represented the top of a slippery slope that could lead to laws banning drivers from applying make-up or even talking to a passenger. Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, questioned the wisdom of banning the dialing of a phone in a driver’s hand, while dialing would be legal if the phone was mounted on the dashboard on sitting on the passenger seat.

Rep. Craig Johnson, R-Anchorage, doesn't like an answer about cell phone use while driving.

Rep. Max Gruenberg, D-Anchorage, said it wouldn’t be smart for a driver to reach over to a passenger seat to punch out the numbers on a phone, but given the language required to pass a bill, it would be legal under the new law.

The maximum penalty for violating the ban would be a traffic fine of $300, with license points to be determined by the administration at a later date.

The committee heard testimony supporting the bill at a hearing last week.

Update:

According to Gruenberg, the decision to move the bill out was accompanied by "do pass" recommendations by him and Rep. Cathy Muñoz, R-Juneau; Rep. Pete Petersen, D-Anchorage, recommended the bill be amended; Wilson, the chair, gave no recommendation; and Reps. Feige, Johnson and Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, recommended "do not pass." Those recommendations will be presented to the House if the bill comes up for a vote on the floor.