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Murashige, Laura
From: nancy rose [rose _n2@msn.com] • O9 APR PO !?I9 8 71
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 11:27 AM
To: counciltestimon co.hawaii.hi.us '
Y@ OUN i i' ( 1 tq~.~7 i1
Subject: Testimony Bill #66, April 21, 2009
Attachments: Bill #66 Cell Phone Testimony.doc
Nancy and Michael Rose
67-5020 Yutaka Pen Place
Kamuela, Hi 96743
J Yoshimoto, Chair
And Members of the Hawai'i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
April 19, 2009
Re: Testimony at the April 21, 2009, Hawaii County Council Committee for Public Safety and Parks and Recreation Meeting
Dear Committee:
Members of the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee, Mike and Nancy Rose, residence at 67-5020 Yutaka Pen Place,
Kamuela, 96743, offer testimony in support of Bill 66 " use of mobile electronic devices while operating a vehicle."
Evidence showing the use of cell phones or other messaging devices while driving creates distractions and increases
frequency of accidents continues to grow. Insurance companies and the National Safety Council have become more vocal in
advocating business policies and laws prohibiting this distracting practice. The Harvard Center of Risk Analysis estimates
cell phone use while driving contributes to six percent of crashes; based upon'a 2006 controlled study, University of Utah
psychologists concluded motorists who talk on hand held or hand free cellular devices are as impaired as drunken drivers
at .08% alcohol levels. A study of 699 Canadian drivers found the risk of a collision when using a cellular phone was four
times higher than the risk when no phone was being used.
This issue has become more pressing over the past decade with the increase in new electronic devices.
Other driver distractions continue to exist, but phone use has become more pervasive. A study conducted in 2006 by the
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Safety Administration found almost 80% of crashes and
65% of near crashes involved some form of driver inattention. The most common distraction is use of cell phones, followed
by drowsiness.
A survey of dangerous driver research released by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. in 2007 found of 1,200 drivers 73% talk
on cell phones while driving, with use highest among younger and less experienced drivers. A survey by Liberty Mutual
Research Institute for Safety and Students Against Destructive Decisions concluded teens considered sending text messages
via cell phones to be their biggest distraction, and 37% said text messaging was extremely distracting; yet, the survey showed
19% say they text message while driving.
While Bill 66 will not eliminate all driving distractions, it will begin to address a significant safety problem and initiate an
education process to reduce poor driving choices. This action does not infringe upon individual rights but enhances the safety
of all drivers. Drivers have a choice to pull over to talk on the phone. We urge the Council to help all drivers be more
responsible and safe by passing Bill 66. Many other municipalities, states, and countries have already taken this step.
Thank you for your consideration,
Comm. No. Michael and Nancy Rose Ref. To;PreaeAt ~
Ref. Date PR 21 2005
4/20/2009