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Torres: Refine bill’s language to ban phone use while driving
Citing the “short-sighted nature of the language” of the bill, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres vetoed last Wednesday a House bid that would restrict the use of cellular phones or mobile telephones while driving.
In Torres’ transmittal letter to legislative leaders, he suggested that lawmakers “revisit” the restrictive language of House Bill 20-8, HS1, SD1.
“While I praise the Legislature for its efforts to address the public safety concerns regarding the widespread practice of using cellular telephones while [driving], I must recommend that the Legislature make due consideration of the short-sighted nature of the language used in this bill and its applicability in today’s fast-changing age of technology,” he said.
The governor found troubling the lack of a provision that would exempt emergency medical responders on official duty. “This express exemption is necessary for the purpose of granting our medical responders with the tools they need to effectively carry out their duties,” he said.
Similarly, the bill also failed to include an exemption solely for making 911 emergency calls, Torres said.
He also believes that using the terms cellular/mobile telephones “narrowly” describes a wide selection of mobile gadgets that include other means of inputting text or calling, such as tablets.
“The Legislature should also consider expanding the restricted use of ‘cellular/mobile telephones’ to include the other uses of these devices along with talking and texting, such as taking photos, Snapchatting, reading or reviewing emails and electronic documents, or even using Facebook, which are all features widely used on mobile devices today,” he said.
According to Torres, although public safety is an “important government objective,” he stands firm in advising the Legislature to re-discuss the language of the bill.
“[While] I am exercising my constitutional authority to veto this bill, I respectfully recommend that the Legislature create the necessary amendments to HB 20-8, HS1, SD1 and reintroduce the bill should it see fit,” he said.
HB 20-8 was offered by Rep. Edmund Villagomez’s (Ind-Saipan), the minority leader.
