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Cell phone ban talk on hold
BY: Jessica Marshall, Managing Editor
Shawnee city staff wants to put to rest rumors that the City Council will discuss at its next meeting a cell phone ban.
The council first discussed the issue Oct. 8 and asked for more information about prohibiting or restricting the use of cell phones and electronic devices while driving.
City Manager Carol Gonzales said staff and legal counsel plan to look into a possible ordinance, suggested to the council by a citizen, but not this year.
“It is on my list of things to do, but I have a number of priority issues that we are in the middle of and need to finish before we can even begin looking at this,” Gonzales said.
“I would anticipate it being early next year before we would actually be able to gather information, do research and present anything to a council committee.”
Such an ordinance could apply to people operating cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, bicycles and scooters. It could ban drivers under 18 from using a telecommunication or electronic device while operating a vehicle, and allow drivers 18 and older to use cell phones but only with a hands-free attachment for voice communication. The ordinance could prohibit all text messaging or e-mailing will driving, but using a cell phone to place an emergency call would be permitted.
Kansas does not have a pre-emption law that would prohibit cities from enacting an ordinance restricting phones and electronic devices such as Blackberries or two-way radios.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Washington became the first state to ban text messaging while driving in May. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., have laws prohibiting talking on hand-held cell phones while driving. California and Washington state have passed similar laws that go into effect in July. Cities including Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Chicago have their own laws.
Seventeen states have laws prohibiting cell phone use among younger drivers.
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The council first discussed the issue Oct. 8 and asked for more information about prohibiting or restricting the use of cell phones and electronic devices while driving.
City Manager Carol Gonzales said staff and legal counsel plan to look into a possible ordinance, suggested to the council by a citizen, but not this year.
“It is on my list of things to do, but I have a number of priority issues that we are in the middle of and need to finish before we can even begin looking at this,” Gonzales said.
“I would anticipate it being early next year before we would actually be able to gather information, do research and present anything to a council committee.”
Such an ordinance could apply to people operating cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, bicycles and scooters. It could ban drivers under 18 from using a telecommunication or electronic device while operating a vehicle, and allow drivers 18 and older to use cell phones but only with a hands-free attachment for voice communication. The ordinance could prohibit all text messaging or e-mailing will driving, but using a cell phone to place an emergency call would be permitted.
Kansas does not have a pre-emption law that would prohibit cities from enacting an ordinance restricting phones and electronic devices such as Blackberries or two-way radios.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Washington became the first state to ban text messaging while driving in May. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., have laws prohibiting talking on hand-held cell phones while driving. California and Washington state have passed similar laws that go into effect in July. Cities including Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Chicago have their own laws.
Seventeen states have laws prohibiting cell phone use among younger drivers.