AUGUSTA, Maine - Members of the Legislatures' Transportation Committee today heard sometimes emotional testimony both supporting and opposing legislation that would ban hand held use of cell phones while driving.
Linda McKee of Wayne says there are way too many distractions for drivers from all sorts of activities, from eating to tuning the car radio.
"We can't do anything about a lot of the distractions but, by God, you can do something about this one," McKee said. "One of my grandchildren even told me the bus driver, can't be - get his attention because he is using his smart phone too."
But opponents argued the state already has a law outlawing distracted driving of all types, and that singling out cell phone use is not needed. They argue law enforcement needs to do a better job enforcing existing law.
"We also have law enforcement officers who are trained to notice distracted drivers and act accordingly," said Laura Parker, of Sydney. "The state of Maine already has a law that prohibits distracted drivers that renders this proposed law unnecessary."