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Cell Phone Law to Change in Dover(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) DOVER, Del., Dec. 1 -- The U.S. Air Force Dover Air Force Base issued the following news release: A new bill was signed into law and becomes effective Jan. 2. This new law will limit what drivers can and cannot do with their cell phone while driving on Delaware roadways. The law bans texting while driving as well as the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. It also bans the use of pagers, PDA's, laptops, games and two-way communications devices while driving. Drivers will not be able to read, write, send messages or browse wirelessly while driving. "Air Force policy has not changed and servicemembers on base must already use hands-free devices," said Capt. Lanourra Phillips, 436th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate chief. "Delaware becomes the 30th state to ban texting while driving and the eighth state to ban hand-held-cell phone use. So far this year, there have been 94 mishaps in Delaware involving cell phone use, and another 17 where texting was the cause." Those caught breaking the law in Delaware will be charged with a primary offense to include a civil penalty. This means a law enforcement officer may issue a $50 fine at the first offense and each subsequent charge results in a fine ranging from $100-$200. Servicemembers and civilians caught violating the law on base will also have three points placed on their base driving record, which can lead to them having their base driving privileges suspended for up to six months. "The National Safety Council did a study showing the safest way to talk on a phone while driving, was to pull off the road - at a rest stop or convenience store - and hold your conversation there," said Kevin Greene, 436th Airlift Wing Ground Safety chief. "Studies have shown hands free is just as dangerous as driving while holding the phone, because you're trying to focus between two tasks - talking and driving - there is the potential to take your mind off the road and the task of driving and cause a mishap. You might be looking up and see the red light and stop, but people looking at texts don't hit the brakes." There are many ways to handle a cell phone call while driving, said Mr. Greene. A driver can pass the phone to a passenger or have the passenger pick up the phone and take the call for them. They can let the phone continue to ring and call the person back later, or let them leave a voice mail. But if they must answer the phone a Bluetooth device is the safest option. "I have a Bluetooth," said Mr. Greene. "If I have to answer the phone, I use risk management and decide if it is safe to do so. Am I in heavy or stop and go traffic, is the weather bad? If the risk is low enough I will answer the phone. No cell phone call is worth my life." by Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs TNS MJJ88-101202-3129925 StaffFurigay (c) 2010 Targeted News Service |