Govt proposes cellphone ban for drivers
Updated 12:15PM Wednesday June 11, 2008
A proposed ban on drivers using hand-held cellphones has been announced by the Government in a bid to reduce road accidents.
The proposed amendment to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 is scheduled to be released for public consultation in August and planned to come into effect on July 1 2009.
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven said drivers would still be able to use hands-free phones and two-way radio under the proposed ban.
An exception would also be made for motorists calling 111 when it was "unsafe or impractical to pull over to make a call" in a genuine emergency.
Though Mr Duynhoven has previously advocated a ban, Cabinet has resisted it on the grounds that other driving distractions could be equally fatal.
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