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Cruces bans cell phone use without a hands-free device while driving
Las Cruces City Hall (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Las Cruces became today the sixth city in New Mexico to restrict the use of cell phones while driving.
The city council, on a unanimous vote, set steep penalties – a fine of up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail – for violating the new ordinance, which takes effect on Feb. 5.
The ordinance prohibits:
• sending or receiving calls.
• sending or reading text messages.
• reading, selecting or entering a number or name.
• sending or receiving e-mails.
Exceptions include, according to a news release from the city, communication with “certain offices or departments in an emergency,” use by law enforcement and other emergency personnel when performing official duties during an emergency, and the exception that applies to most of us – hands-free use.
So you can still use your phone while driving after Feb. 5, as long as you’re using a hands-free device.
Albuquerque, Española, Gallup, Santa Fe and Taos already restrict the use of cell phones while driving, but there are no statewide restrictions.
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I’m troubled by the methods used to initiate and argue for ordinances in Las Cruces. According to Mayor Miyagishima, the catalyst for going forward on this ban was a newspaper article written in a newspaper in another city that he couldn’t recall. He really couldn’t recall the text of the article either. Then to test the ban’s need in Las Cruces, the mayor sent out an informal poll to 3000 residents (which represents only 3% of the total population). He said he received 100 replies, and 3/4 of those stated that the ordinance should be enacted. Thus, the research compiled by the city leaders amounted to an obscure reference to a newspaper article, and the response of ~.08% of the population (based on a 90,000 pop census). This boggles the mind. There is study after study that could have been referenced here to argue for this ban, but these people seem incapable of investigating details. The same holds true for most of the controversial issues voted on in Las Cruces. If research was used and reported, not only would better decisions be made, but more people would actually trust those decisions.
I agree w/the intentions of the law (to encourage safer driving), but disagree with the execution. Banning something just means people wont do it when they’re more likely to be caught. Further, I can only see this measuring requiring beaucoup funds to enforce. Funds we don’t have, and never will have.
Why not do something that makes more sense that we cant afford/enforce? Eliminate personal vehicles. Public transport to increase safety, as well as lessen environmental impact.
Since the police don’t enforce the tinted window law, how will they be able to see the offender except staright on. Seems to be another effort by the Mayor to pontificate.
This is a good idea, but I would like to see how it can be policed. Does it mean while in a moving vehicle or does it mean while in a vehicle which is stopped? It will definitely be interesting. I don’t think that it will be a policeable law.
I have been in many cities where a law was passed that no person may use a cell phone while a motor vehicle is moving and what will happen is when a person sees a police car, they drop the phone to a level where it isn’t visible until the police car has passed, then continue their conversation and/or texting.
This is about as useful as the red light cameras for “safety”. It will become a cash cow for the city and hurt many people in business.
Just like the speeding cameras er I mean the “Red Light” cameras I look forward to updates on how effective the measure does at preventing accidents. Other than accidental injuries from council members patting themselves on the back. Its also evident that the numerous times I’ve seen police officers on cell phones must have all been emergencies.
About time!