Former works minister Colm Imbert is in full support of the PP Government's move to ban drivers' use of cellphones.
That is especially since he had announced the same plan since 2007, Imbert noted. Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner announced the ban at yesterday's post-Cabinet media briefing. Warner said, however, that use of Bluetooth and headsets would be allowed. Imbert said: "All he's doing is implementing my programmes. Obviously, he's asked the Works Ministry staff to give him the projects I was working on." He said he had obtained the position paper on the plan a year ago.
"I had announced banning of cellphone use since 2007, not only in Parliament, but also at a post-Cabinet media briefing on the breathalyser," Imbert said. "We were at the point of deciding if to ban all phones or leave hands-free ones. "I have no problem with Warner using the plan, since this needs to be done. "If you are allowing hands-free systems, however, this needs technical help. Our 2009 research showed that even hands-free sets are distracting.
"Research also showed text messaging reduced a person's attention span to the same level as if you had had two drinks," Imbert added. "I'd thought it best to ban all cellphones. At some point Warner will have to acknowledge he didn't just dream this plan up and where he got it."