2-way radios allowed under proposed Ann Arbor cell phone ban

Two-way radios used by taxi drivers, bus drivers, tow companies and similar businesses that require drivers to communicate would remain legal under a proposed ordinance banning the use of portable devices while driving in the city of Ann Arbor.

Council Member Stephen Rapundalo, D-2nd Ward, who is sponsoring the resolution, clarified the radios are fixed units and said the key word in the ordinance is “portable.”

That question arose following the first reading of a revised proposed cell phone last week before the Ann Arbor City Council.

“Initially we had said ‘hand held,’ and that’s where we got into some confusion,” Rapundalo said. “Someone could be using a two-way radio and have it in their hand, and we didn’t mean for that to be banned, so we changed it.”

He added that while those required to use two-way radios to conduct business would be allowed do so, they would still be prohibited from using cell phones or other portable devices while driving.

“We still want to discourage the use of cell phones, especially if you’re someone who is driving a city or school bus and you have all those lives in your hands,” he said.

Rapundalo said GPS units fixed to a dashboard would also be allowed under the ordinance because many won’t function if the car is moving. But he said he is unsure whether more portable GPS units, such as “Tom-Tom’s,” have the same feature.

“We’re not trying to be unreasonable, but at the same time it’s a major public safety issue,” he said.

The newest version of the proposed ban was approved a week ago, but several council members said they weren't sure they'd be supporting it at second reading.

If approved, the ordinance would take effect 60 days after its legal publication.

The revised resolution states the use of a cell phone or "other portable electronic device" is prohibited while operating a motor vehicle or bicycle. The ban restricts drivers and cyclists from using such devices to do the following:

Talk or listen to another person.
Create, transmit, read or listen to a text, voicemail, or any other digital message, including e-mail.
Perform other non-driving tasks besides selecting and playing music, including but not limited to: playing electronic games, viewing movies and transcribing notes.
Type into or otherwise operate a navigation system.
Use the Internet.

The list of "electronic devices" banned from use while driving or riding a bicycle include:

A mobile or satellite telephone or any other electronic object commonly known as a wireless, cellular, digital telephone or smart phone.
Any type of paging device or personal digital assistant.
Any video game or digital photographic equipment.
Any type of portable computer.
Any portable navigation system, including but not limited to any equipment commonly known as a global positioning system or GPS.

Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.