House will take a further look at cellphone driving ban

By Globe Staff

A ban on driving while talking on the cellphone or texting made it to the floor of the Massachusetts House today, but not to a final vote.

With 16 amendments proposed, lawmakers gave the bill preliminary approval, but postponed further action, saying they wanted to take a closer look at the bill.

The bill, which was approved yesterday by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation, would fine drivers who use the devices $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second, and $500 for subsequent offenses. Drivers under 18 also could face license suspension.

The legislation would also ban drivers from using pagers, PDAs, and laptops. Hands-free technology would still be allowed, so drivers could talk on cellphones if they used earpieces.

During the House session, questions were raised whether the bill should allow people to dial their phones before talking on them in the hands-free mode.

California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and the District of Columbia have banned drivers from using hand-held cellphones, although hands-free devices are allowed.

The push for the bill comes after reports of fatal accidents in Taunton and Southbridge involving drivers sending or receiving text messages.

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