Cell Phone Ordinance - citizen correspondence - Doug Brotherton (added 5-5-2023)2823 Hickory Hill
Dubuque, Iowa. 52001
11 Feb 2010
Roy Buol
Mayor
2640 Becker Ct.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dear Mayor Buol:
I watched with interest the discussion regarding the proposed ordinance regarding cell phone
usage at the recent City Council meeting, I would agree that sending text messages while driving
is beyond good reason as both hands are tied up and the attention is totally diverted from the
road. However I do not believe talking on the phone is any more distracting than drinking
coffee, eating, turning around and dealing with children, picking up something that fell to the
floor, or being involved in an intense conversation with a passenger. I doubt all of these things
will be prohibited by law, so it becomes a personal responsibility to be a safe driver.
It was stated at the Council meeting that people on cell phones have been observed causing near
accidents etc, I drive over 8000 miles a year around town in association with the various charities
and organizations that I am involved with as well as mentoring and providing transportation to a
family on lower Rhomberg, and I have not noticed any more problem with cell phone talkers
than other drivers, and have had no near misses.
Included is a recent article from the Des Moines Register that describes action in process at the
State level to deal with texting while driving. It was written by a retired State Highway Patrol
trooper. It seems to me a good place to start in addressing the cell phone issue. It also seems that
there needs to he uniformity regarding the law through out the State. Otherwise will there be new
signs on all highways leading into Dubuque that in addition to the speed limit will outline cell
phone usage laws.
I appreciate the need to address the texting issue, and would suggest the wording similar to that
in House File 2021. I also agree that people involved in accidents due to cell phone texting
should face substantial consequences. This would promote personal responsibility.
Thank you for the good work you do for the City of Dubuque. Also I appreciate your support for
our Airport and thank you for being part of the Fly Dubuque program last Monday.
Sincerely,
crud.
Doug Brotherton
Panel backs limited ban
on texting while driving
By MIKE GLOVER
Associated Press
A House committee Tues-
day approved a limited ban
on motorists using their cell
phones to send text mes-
sages while driving.
Rep. Dave Tjepkes, a
retired Iowa State Patrol
trooper, said he narrowed
the measure to address only
texting — not talking on a
phone — because of the
dangers in sending such
messages while driving.
"When you think of all
the distractions that drivers
face, texting is the worst of
the worst," said Tjepkes,
R-Gowrie.
The House Transporta-
tion Committee approved
the measure, 20-1, sending
it to the full House, where
supporters predict it will be
approved.
Rep. Nick Wagner, R-Mar-
ion, was the only opponent,
D.1/r/ J7ev,tier
saying he based his vote on
philosophical grounds. "I
don't think we need gov-
ernment intrusion here,"
he said. "It's a personal
responsibility issue,"
Under House File 2021,
motorists wouldn't be pro-
hibited from reading text,
messages on cell phones,
and the measure would
prohibit other levels of
government from enacting
stricter laws.
If it becomes law, the mea-
sure would delay enforce-
ment for a year, requiring
officers to only hand out
warnings at first. When
it takes effect, violators
would be fined a minimum
of $65.
In cases where texting can
be linked to crashes caus-
ing serious injury, the fine
would climb to $500 and
drivers could lose their
licenses.