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Cellular phones measure diluted
Bill now applies only to texting
Herald Denver Bureau
The Senate voted for the major change to House Bill 1094 on Monday. People younger than 18 still would be forbidden from using any cell phone - hand-held or not - under the bill.
But before the major change, Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins, tried to talk senators into making it illegal for anyone to use a hand-held phone while driving.
"All of us know full well as we observe fellow drivers that the worst impediment to paying attention is cell phones," Bacon said.
State Patrol records show that five traffic fatalities last year might have been caused by drivers on cell phones, Bacon said.
Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, said it was folly to vote for a law that most people would ignore.
"You know as well as I do that you are going to continue to talk on your cell phone as you drive down the road," Brophy said. "Most of us are adult enough to make good decisions about how we drive our car."
Bacon didn't fight the amendment that applied the bill only to minors and to text messaging.
HB 1094 still needs final approval by the Senate and agreement to the change from the House.
Bacon said it was worth having the debate on cell phones to raise awareness of a growing danger.
"We are not alone on the roads, and we ought to be attentive to other people's safety," Bacon said.
jhanel@durangoherald.com
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