?I have taken note of a letter from M Raymond of Laventille ("Ban drivers from using cell phones," March 29) regarding the banning of the use of cell phones while driving.
Raymond can rest assured that it is our intention to amend the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act in 2010 to address this problem. I am aware that the use of cell phones by drivers is as bad as driving under the influence of alcohol and some studies that I have seen have shown that it may be worse, in terms of the serious adverse effect on reaction times. Text messaging while driving is even more distracting and has been shown to be the cause of many accidents in other countries.�
However, just as was the case with the breathalyser, this is a complex area of law that requires careful examination and in-depth study so that the legislation that is eventually passed is effective. We are close to the end of our research and the only area left for consideration is whether there should be an outright ban or whether specialised hands-free car phones should be allowed.
If all goes according to plan, we expect to be able to bring the legislation to Parliament and�finalise�the technical specifications for any hands-free system that may be acceptable by September 2010, if not before. By October 2010, therefore, the use of cell phones while driving should be severely restricted, if not banned altogether.�Certainly, the current scenario, where drivers have a cell phone in one hand and the steering wheel in the�other, should be a thing of the past before the end of the year.
Colm Imbert
Minister of Works and Transport
