Hawaii May Ban Cell Phone Calling While Driving

The Honolulu City Council has voted to advance a bill to ban the use of cell phones and other handheld electronic devices while driving.

Hands-free devices would be allowed under the measure that was voted on Thursday.

The vote follows an ill-fated bill to ban Oahu motorists from text messaging and playing video games while driving.

This bill, which was vetoed by Mayor Mufi Hannemann, would have allowed drivers to talk on their cell phones while driving.

Maj. Thomas Nitta is head of the Honolulu Police Department’s traffic division. He says the new measure is enforceable.

The original bill had problems because police wouldn’t be able to determine if drivers were downloading something on their phones, texting or talking.