Nevada considering banning driving while holding cell phone

By Martha Bellisle, Reno Gazette-Journal

At least four people in Washoe County were injured in car crashes in the past five years because the driver was busy putting on lipstick or mascara.

Dozens of others were hurt when the driver lost control while messing with the CD player or radio.

Eleven more were injured because a driver was reading. Yes, you read that right.

But the single activity responsible for causing an increasing number automobile crashes in Washoe County since 2005 involves cell phones and texting, according to data collected from law enforcement officers who worked the scene.

For that reason, a group of legislators in the state Assembly, one state senator and the Nevada Office of Public Safety have all submitted requests to change state law to place drivers’ hands back on the wheel, and their minds back on the road.

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