SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Utah Senate voted for preliminary approval of a bill to ban hand-held cellphone use while driving.
The bill received majority support in the 19-8 vote, but was tabled before final passage because the legislation would impact the budget, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
The bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Don Ipson is on hold until funding is found for the estimated $70,800 price tag due to increased court costs.
Several bill supporters spoke about friends or family members who were killed or injured by drivers distracted by phones.
Republican Sen. Curt Bramble said he opposed similar bills for years as too limiting, until two longtime friends were hit by a driver who was talking on a cellphone, killing one of them.
The Deseret News reported some senators raised questions about the bill that prohibits drivers from holding or manipulating their phones, although phones can be put on speaker or used with a Bluetooth device.
Hand-held cellphone use while driving has been illegal since 2007 in Utah, but only in conjunction with another offense.
“Now we’re going to outlaw only talking on the phone,” Republican Sen. Jake Anderegg said, adding that drivers will try to hide their phone use, creating more dangerous situations.
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