Augusta -
A legislative committee has effectively ended an attempt to ban most motorists from using handheld cellphones in Maine. It also recommended against passage of a motorcycle helmet law.
The Transportation Committee voted 10-1 against the cellphone bill on Tuesday, calling it an attempt to legislate common sense and citing concerns about exemptions for certain classes of motorists.
The Portland Press Herald, reported that Rep. Wayne Parry said existing laws are adequate and that "we can't legislate good driving, good behavior and common sense." A similar bill, submitted in 2011 by Rep. Cynthia Dill of Cape Elizabeth, was killed after it failed to win committee support.
The committee also opposed a bill that would require motorcyclists to wear helmets. The recommendations will be sent to the full Legislature for consideration.
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