With poll: Ann Arbor chamber takes stance against proposed cell phone ban

Using your cell phone while driving in Ann Arbor could cost $125 under a proposed ban working its way through City Council.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

"The Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, like the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, is opposed to the city of Ann Arbor’s proposed cell phone ban (or more precisely, the proposed ban on portable electronic device use/operation while driving/biking)," the chamber's position statement reads. "A ban such as this is most appropriately addressed at the state level where it can and will receive proper airing. It should not be enacted piecemeal in varying, confusing and divergent ways depending upon one's local jurisdictional whereabouts. Statewide imposition aims to ensure uniformity in both awareness and enforcement."

The chamber points out legislation currently is pending in the state Legislature on the use of cell phones while driving. "Indications are that it may preempt local level ordinances, which calls into question the resource expenditure associated with Ann Arbor’s proposed ordinance," the chamber statement says.

"Absent state legislation, Ann Arbor’s proposed ordinance is unfriendly and unwelcoming to our area’s many visitors, tourists and business travelers who will unwittingly commit civil infractions," the chamber's position states. "Our area’s guests should not be penalized for such unknowing misconduct. It is our belief that a locally enacted measure of this sort will thwart efforts to grow business, as well as associated job creation, by creating an unfriendly business environment."

Council Member Stephen Rapundalo, D-2nd Ward and sponsor of the proposed ban, said council members are expected to vote on the ordinance at their meeting next Monday night. It was postponed March 15.

Rapundalo said the ordinance is being reworded to clarify what would and wouldn't be allowed under the ordinance, including the fact that two-way radios would be OK. He said the wording also is being clarified to note that GPS units still can be used if fixed to the vehicle.

Under the ordinance, cell phone use also would be allowed as long as the person driving isn't holding the phone in his or her hand, which means speakerphones and Bluetooth headsets would be ways around the ban for those who don't want to give up talking on the phone while driving.

In response to concerns from the business community that the ban would be a burden to those who rely on using a cell phone while driving to get business done, Rapundalo said, "We did that before the advent of cell phones, and we did just fine." He said he doesn't think it's worth risking human life for the sake of convenience.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.