BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – The use of hand-held cell phones while driving would be prohibited in Louisiana, if senators agree with the Louisiana House.
Similar proposals have failed in recent years to gain traction with the Legislature. But New Orleans Rep. Austin Badon’s proposal passed in a 59-29 vote Wednesday.
Debate on the idea shifts to the Senate.
Badon, a Democrat, said he proposed the bill as a safety measure. Drivers could use a hands-free device to talk on the phone behind the wheel.
“Distracted driving is an epidemic on Louisiana’s roadways,” Badon said. “Hands-free is better than hand-held.”
Critics said cell phones aren’t any more dangerous than things like drinking coffee while driving, eating while driving or reading the newspaper while driving.
“I don’t know that we can legislate common sense and that’s what you’re trying to do here,” said Rep. Jeff Arnold, D-New Orleans.
Louisiana currently has a ban on texting while driving and a prohibition on younger drivers using cell phones.
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Online:
House Bill 695 can be found at www.legis.state.la.us
 
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