2/22/08-A bill has died that sought to require drivers in the state to keep their hands off their phones.
Sponsored by Rep. Darrell Gilbert, D-Tulsa, HB2213 remained in the House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee at the deadline to advance to the House floor, effectively killing it for the year.
Drivers would have been mandated to put down their hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel. Talking on a phone equipped with a “hands-free” accessory would still have been permitted.
It would have been a secondary offense to drive while using a hand-held phone – meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would have faced fines up to $10,000 and/or one year in jail.
Emergency calls would have been exempted. Exceptions also would have been made for commercial driver’s license holders using the devices “within the scope of their employment.”

1/9/08-Rep. Darrell Gilbert, D-Tulsa, has filed a bill for consideration during the regular session that starts next month that would require drivers in the state to keep their hands off their phones.
HB2213 would mandate that drivers put down their hand-held cell phones while behind the wheel. Talking on a phone equipped with a “hands-free” accessory would still be permitted.
The bill would make it a secondary offense to drive while using a hand-held phone – meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face fines up to $10,000 and/or one year in jail.
Emergency calls would be exempted. Exceptions also would be made for commercial driver’s license holders using the devices “within the scope of their employment.”
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee for the session that begins Feb. 4.
For House bill status, call (405) 521-2711. In Oklahoma, call 1-800-522-8502.