HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0262.001 2008-2010
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Murashige, Laura
From: Benjamin Konshak [geouxo@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 11:11 AM an AFR 15 AF1 $ 2$
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us; phoffmann@co.hawaii.hi.us =,K
Cc: copsysop@hawaiipolice.com; emiller@westhawaiitoday.com; nq!(~wowdn@rka 'O-M'"
Subject: Testimony: Support for Cell Phone Ban - Public Safety Committee
Attachments: AAA Safety Foundation_cellphonesanddrivingreport. pdf
Written Testimony and Report (attached):
Aloha,
I am writing to show my support for a ban on cell phone use while driving in Hawaii County. From
the article posted on Big Island Chronicle online and in the West Hawaii Today, I see a couple of
aspects to the bill that should be re-considered.
First, cell phone use should be banned for all forms of equipment; studies show that hands-
free cell phone use is NOT significantly less hazardous. The cell phone hazard for driving is not
about the hands, it is about the brain and mechanics of distraction and perception.
Second, exemptions for emergency responders should be narrowly limited to emergency
communications only. I often witness police officers using cell phones while driving around
Waimea and Kohala area. I suspect that many of these calls are personal, a likely result of the
long hours officers spend patrolling in their vehicles. If a cell phone driving law is enacted, police
and other emergency officers should not be given a broad exemption that may allow for abuse and
cause a community perception of a double standard.
many studies show that driving while using a cell phone is a hazard similar to alcohol impairment.
The driving risk of this relatively new widespread technology is still being realized by the public. I
believe that laws pertaining to this hazard are still catching up to reality of the risk. There is a lack
of education and information about the danger of driving and cell phone use, I encourage
council/committee members to research this issue. Attached is a report from the AAA Foundation
for Traffic Safety update on Cell Phones and Driving. Also, I have included several helpful links
below.
In regards to enforceability of banning all cell phone equipment while driving, I believe it is
important to keep focus on the spirit of the law to help reduce accidents/fatalities on our roads.
Although in some instances ascertaining cell phone use may be limited to post-accident
investigations or cell phone record court subpoenas for serious incidents, it is still important to use
our laws to set a standard for public behavior. A large number of our current laws could be
considered difficult to enforce but are never the less decent and positive standards for society.
Benjamin Konshak
PO Box 44576
Kamuela, HI 96743
Cell: 808.646.0513 Comm. No.~
Ref. To:, 5 PrZ E:
http_//www.iii.org media/hottooics/insurance/cell phones/ Ref.,DoteAPR 21 ZU1_
(Note: Due to possible copyright infringements, the attached document is not
4/15/2009 duplicated nor made a part of the record.)
Page 2 of 2
http://w ww.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080531084958.htm
http_// www.nytimes.c_om/2009/01/13 health/13well.html?ref=views
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4/15/2009