DORI MONSON

Dori argues against proposed cell phone ban

Dec 13, 2011, 3:20 PM | Updated: 3:49 pm

cell-phone-driving-banSo is it really all that dangerous to drive and talk on a cell phone at the same time? A new study says maybe not, but the Feds want it banned altogether.

There are plenty of mixed signals today after a new study found talking on a hands-free device isn’t any more dangerous than talking to someone in the car with you, raising doubts about previous studies.

But just hours later, The National Transportation Safety Board announced on Tuesday it wants states to ban all cellphone use when people are driving except in an emergency.

“More than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents,” Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Deborah Hersman said in a statement. “It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving.”

But Dori says while he’s all in favor of a continued ban on texting, he insists he can drive just fine while driving and talking on a hand held phone (and admits (sort of) he might be guilty once in awhile of committing said violation.)

Listen to “I drive fine”-Dori on why he opposes a total cell phone ban

“I can handle that and I proved it,” Dori says about a test course set up by Sen. Tracy Eide (D-Federal Way) several years ago in an effort to demonstrate the dangers in support of the state’s subsequent ban on cell phone use.

Dori-Cell phone driving Test 01.06.10 from MyNorthwest.com on Vimeo.

Dori wonders whether it’s about safety or just more government control.

“There’s no need for additional laws because there are already plenty on the books,” he says. And he’s particularly critical of all the loopholes.

“How stupid is the law that I can hold the phone three inches from my face and be legal but if I move my hand up six inches and hold it against my ear it’s illegal?”

The NTSB argues it’s about saving lives and 97.3 KIRO FM anchor Jessica Gottesman wonders if maybe now is the time for a total ban.

“How many lives have to be lost?”

But Dori argues if that’s the case, then we might as well ban cars altogether.

“If your standard is if one person dies, then you have to ban red meat, driving, and cigarettes,” he says.

-Josh Kerns/97.3 KIRO FM

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