[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CORZINE:
  S. 927. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to provide for 
a prohibition on use of mobile telephones while operating a motor 
vehicle; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill, the Mobile 
Telephone Driving Safety Act of 2001, to enhance highway safety by 
encouraging States to restrict the use of cell phones while operating a 
motor vehicle.
  The cell phone is an important and valuable type of technology that 
has grown increasingly popular throughout our nation. But as cell phone 
use has grown, so has a related problem, the increasing number of 
traffic accidents caused by drivers who are distracted by cell phone 
use.
  The risks of driving while talking on the phone were made very clear 
to many Americans when on April 29, 2001 a car containing model Nikki 
Taylor crashed into a utility pole. The driver of the car admitted that 
he had been distracted from operating the car when he tried to answer 
his cellular telephone. That few second distraction was all that was 
necessary to cause the crash. As a result, Ms. Taylor suffered severe 
and life-threatening injuries.
  Unfortunately, Ms. Taylor's case is just the most visible recent 
example of a much broader problem. Several studies have established 
that using a cell phone while driving substantially increases the risk 
of an accident. One, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 
concluded that ``use of cellular telephones in motor vehicles is 
associated with a quadrupling of the risks of a collision during the 
brief period of a call''. The study goes on to say ``this relative risk 
is similar to the hazard associated with driving with a blood alcohol 
level at the legal limit''.
  In response to the growing problem of cell phone use while driving, 
counties and municipalities around the country, including two 
municipalities in my own State of New Jersey, have banned the use of 
cell phones while driving on their roads. Just recently, Governor 
Pataki of New York endorsed similar statewide legislation. Yet, at this 
point, no State has actually enacted such a law. Many cite strong 
industry resistance to explain the failure of state legislatures to 
act.
  While some wireless industry representatives may resist cell phone 
driving safety legislation, the American people strongly support the 
idea. A recent poll by Quinnipiac University showed that 87 percent of 
New York voters support such a ban. This survey echoes the results from 
other surveys taken nationwide.
  In addition to preventing accidents and saving lives, a ban on cell 
phone use while driving also would help lower the cost of auto 
insurance. That is especially important to me because I represent a 
state in which insurance premiums are among the highest in the nation.
  The Mobile Telephone Driving Safety Act of 2001 is structured in a 
manner similar to other Federal laws designed to promote highway 
safety, such as laws that encourage states to enact tough drunk driving 
standards. Under the legislation, a portion of Federal highway funds 
would be withheld from States that do not enact a ban on cell phone use 
while driving. Initially, this funding could be restored if states act 
to move into compliance. Later, the highway funding forfeited by one 
state would be distributed to other states that are in compliance. 
Experience has shown that the threat of losing highway funding is very 
effective in ensuring that states comply.
  To meet the bill's requirements, States would have to ban cell phone 
use while driving. However, such a ban need not be absolute. It could 
include an exception where there are exceptional circumstances, such as 
the use of a phone to report a disabled vehicle or medical emergency. 
In addition, if a state makes a determination that the use of ``hands 
free'' cell phones does not pose a threat to public safety, such use 
could be exempted from the ban, as well.
  This is a necessary bill to keep our streets and highways safe. I 
urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
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