Hang up and Drive
New cell phone law prohibits use without hands-free accessory

By Hannah Harcrow · The Mainstream
Published January 26, 2010

Along with new resolutions, new beginnings and a new year, Jan. 1 also marked the decree of a new traffic law here in Oregon—the Oregon Cell-Phone Law. Although other traffic laws went into effect Jan. 1, House Bill 2377, more commonly known as the Cell Phone Ban, is perhaps the one that Oregonians are buzzing about most.

“The main goal behind this law is to get drivers to focus more on driving and less on distractions,” said Lieutenant Greg Hastings of the Oregon State Police Department in Portland.

The bill prohibits drivers from using a cell phone while driving, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) HB 2377 Fact Sheet. This includes making and receiving calls as well as text-messaging. Drivers over the age of 18 are allowed to use their cellular device only if they are using a hands-free accessory, such as Bluetooth. Those under 18 are not allowed to use cellular devices with or without a hands-free accessory.

Refusing to comply with this law is considered a primary offense, which means that drivers can be pulled over solely for using a cell phone without a hands-free accessory. Simply being pulled over isn’t the last of drivers’ concerns. “The penalty for being stopped for cell phone use is a base fine of $142,” Hastings added.

According to Hastings, statistics show that the use of cellular devices has been the main cause of numerous traffic accidents and fatalities here in Oregon.“ODOT statistics for 2008 show 306 crashes involving cell phone use as the main cause, 3 of which resulted in fatalities,” Hastings added.

These statistics may actually be underreported.“A large portion of statistics gathered come from motor vehicle report forms which rely on the honesty of the person filing,” Hastings explained. “Many people don’t admit cell phone use as a cause of their accident due to embarrassment and other reasons.”

Already, Oregon has seen up to a 75 percent reduction in fatalities as compared to this time in 2009.“While it is too early to tell whether the new cell phone law has contributed to this decrease, it certainly is a good sign,” Hastings said.

Though many Oregonians were not happy about the new law, they seem to be adjusting to and complying with the bill. Police officers are hopeful about the improvements Oregon will see in driving safety because “We are in the very early stages of enforcing this law,” replied Hastings, “but it is very encouraging to see the large amount of compliance from drivers. We have seen a high awareness from drivers as well as a large number of hands-free devices being used, which shows that people are finding ways to adjust to this law and be safer drivers.”