Businesspeople and commuters are voicing mixed reactions to the defeat of a state ban on cell phone use and texting while driving.

The Arizona Senate shot down Senate Bill 1433 Monday. The bill would have prohibited cell phone calls without a hands-free device and all texting.

The bill failed 15-to-14. Violations would have carried a $50 fine, $200 if the incident resulted in an accident. California and several other states have such bans. The city of Phoenix has a ban on texting while driving.

Arizona’s proposal, which likely will come back next year in the Legislature, would have exempted emergency workers and emergency calls.

Critics of the bill cited civil liberties and government restrictions on behavior. They also pointed out that the state already has reckless and negligent driving laws.

“The legislature got it right with this one. Every city in Arizona already has distracted driver laws on the books. If those aren’t doing the job, they can be beefed up, but there’s just no need to pile on redundant laws,” said Starlee Rhoades, vice president of communications for the Goldwater Institute.

The ban would have impacted scores of businesspeople and commuters who make cell calls while driving. Salespeople, medical and legal professionals, consultants, repairmen, contractors and the news media all are among those who use their commutes or driving between appointments for communication.

Still, some local businesspeople support the ban citing traffic safety issues.

“I think a ban on talking on your cell phone while driving is necessary in Phoenix,” said Laurel Pea, marketing manager at accounting firm Grant Thornton’s Phoenix Office. “While it may be a bit less convenient, I think it would make Phoenix highways a lot safer and it would make our commutes a little less stressful. I also think there should be a ban on texting while driving. When I see someone texting while driving, I just let them pass me. It’s really scary how little attention some drivers pay to the road when they’re texting.”

Barbara Madden, an executive assistant with Phoenix financial planning firm of Keats, Connelly and Associates LLC, agrees: “Although I like to catch up on my calls while driving, and consider myself responsible and alert even while using my cell, I think it’s time to amend the law. I see a lot of erratic driving by people with cell phones to their ears — people probably say that about me at times, too — I can’t deny the fact that it’s a distraction while driving.”

State Sen. Al Melvin, R-Tucson, was the bill’s main sponsor and told KJZZ AM 91.5 that he would like to bring a similar bill back to the Legislature next year.

Police have linked some accidents and reckless driving to drivers talking on their cell phones and texting.

There are a few serious issues with what is presented here. Exempting emergency calls? Who defines what an emergency is? Far more simple to make your call and if pulled over by an officer have them handle the emergency.
The fines this would carry are far too weak. $50 doesn’t even cover the cost of the officer writing the citation. $200 if you caused an accident? How the heck would they prove it? Overall I do agree there are some safety concerns with cell phone use but maybe wqe can solve the red light running issue first.