Push to Prohibit Drivers from Talking on Cellphones in Maine

There's a push to prohibit drivers from talking on cellphones in Maine.  Sen. Roger Katz plans to introduce a bill entitled ‘An Act to Prohibit the Use of a Mobile Telephone When Operating a Motor Vehicle Except in Hands-free Mode’.  According to WMTW, Katz said while there doesn't appear to be any organized opposition to the bill, he is expecting some pushback. Texting while driving is already against the law in Maine. A law authored by Bill Diamond made distracted driving illegal several years ago. Diamond is a co-sponsor of Katz's bill this legislative session and says the added ban is needed. Katz's bill does not ban the use of hands-free devices. Diamond said Mainers should not be surprised if the next step is a ban on those as well. According to the Governor's Highway Safety Association, 14 states and Washington, D.C., ban the use of hand-held cellphones by drivers. (WMTW)