By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A bill that is making its way through the Kansas Legislature would restrict cell phone usage in vehicles in select situations.
"Senate Bill 332 is what we're referring to as a limited hands-free bill that applies to the most inexperienced drivers and vulnerable bystanders who are at risk," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "Specifically, it would ban the hand held use of cell phones for drivers under the age of 18 and then for all drivers who drive through a road construction zone when workers are present or a school zone during designated hours."
The school zone provisions would be at a time when a reduced speed limit is enforced.
"Many vehicles do have the capabilities to use Bluetooth to run your cell phone calls through your audio system in your vehicle," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "If you don't have that available, there are Bluetooth headsets that you can use. All of those would be legal and allow you to still use your cell phone. We're not banning the use of cell phones, we're just trying to get people to really focus their eyes on the road, have their hands on the wheel in these especially risky areas and for the youngest, most inexperienced drivers."
Advocates for this bill have been working on it for years.
"It's sort of a compromise," Steward said. "It doesn't go as far as a full cell phone ban while driving, which some states have. We've been pragmatic. We've worked as part of a large and diverse coalition in support of this bill and we've been working on it for about two years. We feel like this is a good bill, a bill that we think will have some strong support in the legislature."
The fine for a violation is $60, which although it is less than the national average for such violations, is consistent with other Kansas fines for behavior traffic violations. The bill has passed out of committee, but there is not word yet on when it will make it to the floor of the Kansas Senate.