Last week, in a 7-2 vote, the Town Council agreed to continue the discussion of a proposed cellphone ban for drivers within the town limits. Although some question the legality of such a proposal, citing the state’s right to maintain and set policy affecting state highways, the council should be applauded for its attempt to stay at the forefront of safety innovation.
But the proposed ban of hand-held and hands-free calls while driving is still rife with concerns and lacks feasibility.
Though town attorney Ralph Karpinos asserts that the town could prove its jurisdictional authority, many Chapel Hill roads are state-owned. If we assume that the town has full jurisdiction, it must move forward weighing a constraint to driver’s rights with public safety.
The ban must only affect hand-held phone usage and not prevent drivers from communicating safely via Bluetooth, or hands-free device.
The town’s proposal sends a strong message to the state about the direction our community feels safety policy should go. But the disagreement between the state and the town, which both claim full jurisdiction, must be settled with the goal of ensuring safer roads.
Whoever claims full responsibility must make visibility and feasibility a priority.
