The City of Pacific, Mo., is postponing its new ban on using cell phones while using city vehicles because many of these vehicles are not equipped with Bluetooth, reported the eMissourian. At a recent board of aldermen meeting, the Police Chief noted that officers would need Bluetooth capability on patrol vehicles before a ban was enacted, and that would require extra installation time.
City aldermen also asked for the ordinance to be revised for clarity. The original bill stated that city employees should refrain from using a cell phone to talk or text without hands-free systems while driving, but does not address tablets or other devices.
Cell phone bans are not a new concept. Distracted driving has been a major topic of conversation over the past decade. It can be dangerous and costly too — the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department paid nearly $12 million after a distracted deputy killed a bicyclist.
