Vote on Cell Phone Ban Coming

Continuing his commitment to keep New Jersey’s roads safe, Governor James E. McGreevey urged the Legislature to pass a ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. The Governor made the announcement at the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Building in East Brunswick.

The Governor expressed support for a similar ban a year ago, and said he is encouraged by recent progress in the Legislature. Currently, New York is the only state in the nation with a statewide ban on hand held cell phones.

“What could be simpler than this concept: Requiring drivers to keep both hands on the wheel will save lives,” McGreevey said Sunday. “Sharing our roads with someone who has one hand on the phone, and less control over their automobile, makes our roads unsafe and dangerous.

“Cell phones have become part of our daily lives. A ban on the use of hand-held phones while driving won’t threaten that fact. But, like any other instrument that could lead to an injury, cell phones must be used responsibly,” the Governor said.

"We support Governor McGreevey in his quest to make this proposed bill a law," said Lt. Col. Albert Kernagis, Deputy Superintendent of the State Police. “The benefits of this law will be measured in the lives that are saved on our state roadways."

"Safe driving is all to often taken for granted. But the new cell phone ban is going to provide safer roads for our loved ones, and give us peace of mind that our fellow motorists will drive safely," said Dena Mottola, Executive Director of NJPIRG.

Last year, a Quinnipiac University Poll showed that New Jerseyans overwhelmingly favor a hand-held cell phone ban—85 percent of the voters backed the plan. The Legislature is expected to vote on this issue on Monday.

For more information, visit the official State of New Jersey website.

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Author: Press Release - State of New Jersey