6/21/04-A bill that would have prohibited drivers’ use of hand-held cell phones has died.
HB2691, sponsored by Rep. Tom Prezelski, D-Tucson, remained in committee when session ended May 26.
The measure called for violators of the ban to be fined $50. If a driver were involved in an accident while using a hand-held phone, the driver could be fined $200. It also required police to collect information about cell phone use on crash report forms.
The bill would have permitted only “hands-free” devices in moving vehicles. It exempted emergency calls.