Many people do not like to hear the sirens or see the blue, flashing lights of a police vehicle. As you roll down your window, you are in disbelief: You have just been pulled over for using your mobile phone.Valerie Short, a sophomore psychology major, admits that she uses her cell phone often while she is in the car and could not imagine getting pulled over for talking.
"I'm always in my car, so that is where I get things done," Short said.
The idea of receiving a ticket for cell phone usage may seem far-fetched to University of Memphis students, but states like California have already placed restrictions on cell phone usage while driving.
Short does believe that some laws could be beneficial to everyone, because everyone is not cautious on the road. Short said last week her friend had a wreck that caused serious injuries because she was writing a text message.
Dorris Barnes, the executive assistant to State Representative Joe Fowlkes, said that out of the nearly 3,000 bills that the Tennessee Legislature proposes each year, at least four or five deal with the use of cell phones on the road.
The latest proposed bill is "Distracted Driving Act of 2005" sponsored by State Senator Roy Herron and State Representative John Tidwell. If this bill passes, anyone who does use a mobile phone in the car must have a headset or another form of wireless equipment. Some exceptions include those people who are in the midst of an emergency, law enforcement officers and those people who are turning the phone on or off.
The bill would also require a person who uses a cell phone and causes serious injuries to others would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor along with other penalties.
The "Distracted Driving Act of 2005" has been taken into consideration by both the House and Senate Transportation Committees in the state legislature and now is waiting to reach the floor.
Roy Jackson, a special assistant at the Tennessee Department of Transportation, said past bills restricting cell phone usage have not been passed because of the lack of support.
"If you are an advocate for or against the bill, you should voice your personal opinion to your state senator or state representative," Jackson said.
Deputy Director Derek Myers said whether or not the bill is enacted, law enforcement officers have already taken measures to decrease cell phone usage. Myers said that drivers have received tickets because they used a cell phone and failed to maintain lookout.
Myers suggests drivers pay close attention to the road. If they must use a cell phone, Myers said, they should try to stop their movement.
"I have seen a number of people practice pulling over, if they are about to make a call," Myers said.
