By DANIEL SUDDEATH
Daniel.Suddeath@newsandtribune.com
NEW ALBANY —
City Councilman Steve Price is willing to ease off his stance on a comprehensive cell phone ban for drivers if other New Albany leaders feel it’s too stringent.
Price is also in favor of waiting on any legislation regarding limiting cell phone use within city limits until after the council approves a 2011 budget and decides on a $1.8 million funding gap in the public safety departments.
“I don’t know if this is the time to do that with the budget,” Price said.
Two weeks ago Price hoped to organize the council’s public safety committee — which consists of Councilmen Jack Messer, Pat McLaughlin and Price — to discuss writing an ordinance that would forbid drivers from using a cell phone in any capacity while on the road.
That’s a step further than the recently implemented Kentucky law that only prohibits drivers from texting while driving.
Price said Tuesday the committee has yet to meet, but that he can support a law that only limits texting if it’s the will of the majority of the council.
“I’m just trying to bring it out so people will pay attention,” on the road, Price said.
“I want to make people aware — I don’t like a lot of government rules or regulations either.”
Price said he was initially under the impression the other members of the public safety committee felt the same about a comprehensive ban. But McLaughlin said Monday he hasn’t made up his mind.
“I just haven’t seen the numbers on it yet, and I pretty much go by the statistics,” he said, adding that he understands numbers can be used to prove either side of the argument.
But McLaughlin said it’s too early in the process to make a blanket statement on what he would support or oppose.
He conceded that using a cell phone while driving can be dangerous, but added there are ways to still make calls without being distracted.
“I, myself, use a hands-free device,” he said.
Whether New Albany takes the lead and passes a ban or not, Price believes the Indiana General Assembly will eventually take the decision out of the hands of local government and approve a law limiting cell phone use for drivers.
“Me personally, I still believe you need to get off the phone when you’re driving,” he said.
