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Regulating Cell Phone Use on Buses

by: Kristine Uyeno

(KHNL) - Cell phones can be distracting and dangerous.

That's what the Honolulu City Council is saying and they're one step closer to limiting cell phone use on buses.

They unanimously passed Bill 71, which prohibits the sound of cell phones on the bus. It also asks people to use them quietly. If not, bus drivers will have the authority to regulate your phone use.

"If you're a bus driver, if you have a congested bus and all manner of activity is happening, you want the bus driver to be able to focus on the road," said Honolulu City Councilman Nestor Garcia.

Most of the people we talked to agree and say some people can be downright rude when they're using their cell phone on the bus.

"It does distract a lot of people on the bus, especially people going home or going to work and they're tired and they want to go to sleep," said Helen Garcia, bus rider.

"Some people don't even soften their voice when they answer their phone, they loud inside the bus, they're arguing on the phone," said Manua Tanielu, bus rider.

Council members say if you need to chat with someone while you're on the bus, you can text message them. It's safer for the driver and much quieter for those around you.

Bill 71 is now on its way to Mayor Mufi Hannemann.

He has 10 working days to sign it into law.