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Minutes for SB25 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Prohibiting the use of a mobile telephone while operating in school or road construction zone or by individuals less than 18 years of age.
Minutes Content for Wed, Jan 27, 2021
Chairperson Petersen opened the hearing on SB 25.-
Assistant Revisor Adam Siebers reviewed the variations of the bill. He noted the bill would prohibit the use of a mobile telephone specifically in school zones or road construction zones and would prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while driving. The bill lists exceptions for employed law enforcement personnel or individuals using hands-free devices (Attachment 1).
Travis Lowe, speaking as a proponent, presented two areas of handheld use of cell phones (Attachment 2). The first scenario involves work construction zones, the second, using a phone in school zones during designated school hours. He noted the hands-free language applies to inexperienced drivers under the age of 18 who are driving on a road in Kansas. Additionally, SB 25 includes all drivers going through a work or school zone during designated hours. Mr. Lowe noted the bill exempts those making emergency calls.
Ed Klumpp, representing several associations, commented favorably regarding the language of SB 25 (Attachment 3). He noted statistics derived from 2014-2019 surveys which revealed 29.2% of persons hold a phone while driving. He referenced states with laws banning handheld use at 87.2% support; in states without such laws, 67.2% indicated support of the law. Mr. Klumpp reported at least 19% of all automobile crashes that occurred in 2019 were a result of distracted driving. He encouraged passage of SB 25 favorably.
Testimony provided by Chris Bortz via WebEx expressed support for SB 25 (Attachment 4). He noted that banning handheld phones could help to increase safety in school and road construction zones. He said the state averages about 15,000 distracted or inattentive driving crashes annually. Mr. Bortz noted the proposed legislation creates a new traffic infraction that carries a fine of $60. He requested favorable support for the bill.
Jennifer Smith spoke via WebEx. She said SB 25 is a good first step to eradicate distracted driving in Kansas (Attachment 5). She commented on the addictive nature of technology by citing Insurance Institute for Highway Safety data, which shows a 57% increase in driver usage of phones for texting, facetime, Netflix and even shopping. Ms. Smith indicated the passage of hands-free laws in a large number of states results in reductions in motor vehicle fatalities and brings public support for the laws. She noted there are broad coalitions working together to spearhead a grassroots endeavor to educate and increase support of hands-free laws nationwide.
Written Only testimony in favor of SB 25 include:
Michael White, Executive Director, Kansas Contractors Association (Attachment 6);
Teresa Taylor, Kansas Emergency Nurses Association, Government Affairs Chairperson (Attachment 7);
Stormont Vail Health: Carol Perry, William Sachs, MD and Wael Khreiss, MD. (Attachment 8).
The Chairperson closed the hearing on SB 25.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2021.
