NFIB

Can You Hear Us Now? Banning Use of Cell Phones in Cars Bad for Small Business
03/31/2003

DELAWARE, March 31, 2003 -- In an apparent move to cut down on cell phone usage on state highways and roads, Delaware officials are pushing a measure in the General Assembly to ban the use of such devices while driving. On its face, this proposal appears to be a reasonable safety precaution to reduce highway accidents and deaths. And while the intentions of the bill may be good, the consequences for small businesses would be detrimental.

Lawmakers and groups that support a ban argue that using a cell phone while driving significantly increases the threat level of accidents on the road. They say that the distractions of attempting to dial a phone or read a small screen while driving are too dangerous to ignore. Yet, no concrete evidence exists today to support that theory.

The Delaware State Police recently reported on its pilot Automated Accident Reporting System that with over 1300 accidents surveyed from across the state, only four can be positively attributed to being caused by cell phones. Even if that number is inflated by another 10 crashes, this still represents a small percentage of accidents. Creating a new law that will be born by the small-business community is clearly unwarranted and unnecessary.

"Small-business owners in Delaware and the nation rely heavily on their cell phones as a valuable communications tool for their businesses," said NFIB/Delaware State Director Scott Kidner. "To limit that vital work tool that so many people depend on would be a shame."

Independent entrepreneurs across the state have overwhelmingly expressed their opposition to such a law going into effect. In the two most recent surveys of NFIB members in Delaware, business owners have argued that no correlation exists between cell phone usage on the roads and the number and type of accidents reported by authorities.

"Until such time when tangible proof can be shown that cell phone use is a threat to the safety of Delaware drivers, small businesses should not be hindered simply because of feel-good legislation such as this," said Kidner.

Currently, the state has established a task force to look into the issues and possible ramifications at play if such a law were enacted. The task force is expected to present its findings soon to the General Assembly. Small-business owners are urged to contact their elected officials and convey their opposition to the cell phone use ban.