El Paso City Council Bans Use Of Hand-Held Cell Phones While Driving

EL PASO, Texas -El Paso City Council today passed an ordinance that banned hand-held cell phone use while driving.

The ordinance passed 5-3. City representatives Beto O’Rourke, Carl Robinson and Eddie Holguin voted no. Mayor John Cook was absent.

The ordinance, which goes into effect on April 1, bans the use of hand-held wireless communications devices within the city limits. People can still use cell phones while driving as along as it is with the use of a hands-free accessory.

A dozen people showed up to talk about the issue with City Council. Several people commended City Rep. Rachel Quintana for being proactive about the issue and introducing the ordinance, while others said it was an infringement on their rights.

O’Rourke said he could not be in favor of the proposal because cities that have enacted a cell phone ban don’t have any proof that it has actually made a difference in terms of the amount of accidents and safety. Also, O’Rourke said there’s no real proof to show that this huge “inconvenience” will actually make El Paso a safer place.

Holguin said that eating while driving and putting on makeup cause more accidents than using a cell phone while driving. He saidhe didn’t think banning cell phones should be done unless those other activities were banned as well.

Robinson said that responsibility can’t be legislated and that everybody agrees thatthe responsiblething to do is not use a cell phone while driving.