WASHINGTON -- Two U.S. lawmakers unveiled proposed legislation on Tuesday that would ban the use of hand-held mobile telephones while driving and withhold federal highway funds from states that failed to implement the ban.
The two similar measures, both introduced by Democrats, would require states to come up with penalty systems for violations, either imposing fines or assessing points on a driver's license that could lead to a suspension of driving privileges.
Separately, the investigative arm of Congress released a report that said research failed to show radio frequencies emitted by mobile telephones have an adverse affect on users' health. Approximately 115 million Americans have mobile phones, according to the Cellular Telephone & Internet Association.
New York Rep. Gary Ackerman's proposal on banning hand-held mobile phones would require drivers to use speaker phones or earpiece devices allowing both hands to be on the steering wheel.
Meanwhile New Jersey Sen. Jon Corzine's measure would give the states more discretion to decide what kinds of cellphone use in vehicles constitutes a threat to public safety.
"Just a few seconds of distraction while talking on a cellphone can mean the difference between safety and peril," Corzine said in a statement. "We must act to make our roads safer and this legislation goes a long way to achieving this goal."
The lawmakers said similar measures are pending in 40 states while three counties in New York and two townships in New Jersey have already passed legislation that bans driving while talking.
OPPOSITION BY STATES, INDUSTRY
The measures were immediately blasted by the wireless industry and state officials who questioned the appropriateness of the proposed legislation.
"State legislators are becoming increasingly tired of Congress' efforts to force states into enacting legislation by withholding federal funds," said Jim Costa, a California state senator and president of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The CTIA cited a recent study commissioned by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that showed of 32,000 accidents analyzed, 29.4 percent were caused by an outside object or event while 1.5 percent were attributed to using or dialing a mobile phone.
Verizon Wireless, the nation's biggest wireless operator, said it would send free hands-free sets to customers who purchase online any of seven qualifying digital handsets and a service plan of $29.99 or higher through July 13.
"We strongly encourage our customers who talk and drive to do so using a hands-free device, which allows them to keep both hands on the wheel and their focus on the task at hand -- driving," said John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless.
The set includes a headset, vehicle power adapter and a belt clip, said Verizon, which is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc.
GAO REPORT ON HEALTH RISK
The General Accounting Office report -- which surveyed the Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization and other health agencies -- said there was insufficient information just yet to conclude that mobile phones posed no health risk.
"The reality is that the nature of the health risk is such that no lab study or epidemiological study will likely reveal any adverse health effects of radio frequency radiation on humans, if any, except over the course of many years or tracking heavy users," said Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Edward Markey.
"As a result, in the short term millions of Americans will be required to make their own judgements about the level of risk and what precautions to take without definitive conclusions available from the research community," said Markey, one of the lawmakers who requested the GAO report.
The GAO urged the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates the wireless industry, to issue clear and easily accessible consumer guidance on radio frequency exposure issues and develop a strategy for meeting the needs for additional expertise in exposure and testing.
Additionally, the GAO recommended the FDA direct its Center for Devices and Radiological Health develop a new consumer update that provides a current overview of the status of health issues and research on mobile phones.
