Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Legislature

Pre-filed bill would ban cell phone use while driving

The bill has failed four times in previous sessions, with the last vote being 47-48.

STOCK

Rep. Randy Wood, R-Anniston, is bringing back a familiar bill in the upcoming session to restrict cell phone use behind the wheel.

The bill has been voted down for the past four years under the sponsorship of former representative K. L. Brown of Jacksonville.

“His heart was really in it,” Wood said. “I’m on (the Rules committee) and I would pick it for him. He always had tears in his eyes.”

Wood said shortly after the latest failure to pass the bill, a young woman was killed in a wreck in Brown’s district due to using the phone while driving.

“There’s two families ruined and distraught because of talking on the cell phone,” Wood said. “The lady’s family that passed away the one that hit her, their life is ruined too.”

The bill would prevent a driver from taking a photo or video with a device unless pulled over and in park, and would prohibit holding a cell phone while driving.

Although the bill has failed to pass, it has been one of the closest votes, failing 47-48 in its last iteration.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“I think what it is, people do not want nobody telling them what to do,” Wood said. “I understand that. On the other hand, if you can prevent someone from losing their life, it’s worth it.”

The bill has also gained opposition from Black members who expressed concern that the bill might be disproportionally used as a reason to stop Black drivers.

Alabama already has a law against texting while driving, but Wood said there is little an officer can do to prove that. However, if someone is holding a phone up to their ear, Wood said an officer would have more to go on.

The bill includes some language that had been added in amendments previously, including that drivers could use the phone on speaker in the car, as long as the driver isn’t holding the phone.

“Lay it on the seat, or the console,” Wood said. “It’ll serve the same purpose.”

Wood said studies show just reading a person’s name or number off while driving can take about five seconds, long enough to travel the length of a football field.

“No matter what, it’s about safety,” Wood said. “It’s about saving lives. That, to me, that’s very important.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Jacob Holmes is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]

More from the Alabama Political Reporter

Prisons

No suspects have been identified in the case of a gun found in a field outside Fountain Correctional Facility, according to the Department of...

Legislature

Tech lobbyists say the requirement is unworkable; supporters say it is a simple solution to protect children.

Legislature

The House voted down House Bill 90 on a 47 to 48 vote.

National

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded a $164,421 grant to improve safety on Alabama’s highways by stepping up prosecution in cases involving impaired driving. The...

Infrastructure

Thursday the Alabama Senate voted in favor of a bill that will provide the small cell infrastructure necessary for Alabama to have 5G technology...

Opinion

Modern political candidates spend a lot of time presenting themselves as culturally acceptable to voters. That means a lot of talk about God, faith,...

News

Alabama State Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, will introduce legislation that would make it illegal for Alabama motorists to operate a motor vehicle while holding...

Opinion

My oldest daughter just turned sixteen. She’s driving, and as a dad, it’s a thrilling, but scary moment in life — this week, she...