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Bill would make talking on a cell phone while driving a crime

February 1, 2000
By: Laetitia Thompson
State Capital Bureau

While legislators usually use rhetoric to pass a bill... one lawmaker tried a different sound -- ringing cell phones.

Laetitia Thompson has the story from the State Capitol.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Lieutenant Governor candiate Gracia Baker sent her two cell phones ringing in protest of a new bill making it a crime to talk on a cell phone while driving.

Kansas City Representative Marsha Cambell says she introduced the bill because modern technology makes driving dangerous.

Actuality:CAMBELL2
RunTime: 12SEC
OutCue: "KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE."
Contents: CAMBELL ASKS HOW MANY DISTRACTIONS CAN WE TAKE LIKE EMAIL AND AUTOMATED MAPPING SYSTEMS AND WANTS TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE.

Lobbyists for Sprint PCS and the Missouri Association of Realtors joined Baker in opposition to Cambell's bill.

From Jefferson City, I'm Laetitia Thompson.

Cell phones sang out in protest over a bill introduced to a House committee making it a crime to drive and talk on a cell phone at the same time.

Laetitia Thompson has the story from the state capitol.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Cell phones kept ringing...chirping and interupting Kansas City Representative Marsha Cambell as she introduced the bill.

Cambell says talking on a cell phone quadruples the risk of a car collision.

But Blue Springs Representative Carson Ross questions how useful Cambell's bill is when he sees drivers also read...shave and put on makeup.

Actuality:CARSON2
RunTime: 10SEC
OutCue: "DEVICES AND DISTRACTIONS."
Contents: ROSS SAYS COMMON SENSE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T LEGISLATE.

In Cambell's bill driving and talking could result in up to a year in jail and a thousand-dollar fine.

From Jefferson City, I'm Laetitia Thompson.

Cell phones literally chirped out in protest to a new bill making it a crime to drive while talking on a cell phone at the same time.

Laetitia Thompson has the story from Jefferson City.

Story:
RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

Cell phones repeatedly interrupted Kansas City Representative Marsha Cambell as she introduced the bill to a skeptical house committee.

Cambell says innovative technology like cell phones...email and automated mapping systems in cars makes driving dangerous.

But Republican Representative Carson Ross says the bill won't fix the problem.

Actuality:ROSS1
RunTime: 12SEC
OutCue: "THOSE AS WELL."
Contents: ROSS SAYS HE SEES DRIVERS READING, PUTTING ON MAKEUP AND SHAVING WHILE DRIVING AND ASKS SHOULDN'T THOSE ACTIVITIES BE PROHIBITED TOO.

Cambell's bill does allow drivers to use a cell phone in case of an emergency.

From Jefferson City, I'm Laetitia Thompson.