Oddest thing. I've had three people in the last few weeks refer to the state's new ban on the use of cell phones while driving.
The state, of course, doesn't have a ban on the use of cell phones while driving. That was a bill the House and Senate both considered, but in the end couldn't agree on in that way that the Senate and House Transportation Committees usually can't agree on anything. It's still sitting there as a possibility for next year, but no such law went into effect.
The people who brought this up to me were each quite convinced there was such a law, and that it went into effect Sept. 1. At least two of the people were in a position to know what the Legislature did and didn't do. One of them even said he thought he'd seen a sign somewhere, maybe near Rutland, that said something about hands-free as of Sept. 1. Given that we don't have billboards, I don't know where such a sign would be seen. But if anybody else has seen such a sign, please do tell.
So I've come to the conclusion that the Legislature doesn't have to pass laws, but can just talk extensively about them until people think they've passed them.
And in the meantime, if you want to go thinking that you can't drive while talking on the cell phone in Vermont, go ahead. Then maybe you'll use your turn signal.
- Terri Hallenbeck
