Natarus found a way to get his name in the paper again, with a sure-to-be controversial cell phone ban. I'm with Natarus on this one though; I rarely, if ever, blabber on my cell while driving. Drivers who talk on their phones are partially oblivious to traffic - and dangerous.
Motorists with cell phones firmly plastered to their ears would risk a $50 fine--$200 if they were involved in an accident--if they ventured onto Chicago streets under a measure advanced Monday by a City Council committee.If the ordinance wins approval of the full council, something that appears likely, Chicago would become the second big U.S. city after Washington to approve such a ban. There also are statewide prohibitions in New York and New Jersey.
Monday's action by the Committee on Traffic Control and Safety came over the objections of Sprint and Verizon Wireless, two major cellular service providers that opposed the measure for different reasons.
But committee members shrugged off their arguments, contending that cell use has become a menace on city streets.
“People seem to be more interested in their conversations on the telephone than they are with regard to human life,” said Ald. Burton Natarus (42nd), who has waged a six-year fight to pass the measure and conducted extensive research
Tribune
