MalloryKeaton

http://www.click2houston.com/automot...97/detail.html

Lawmaker: Hang Up And Pump Your Gas Or Pay Fine

Posted: 6:53 am CST March 8, 2005

Hartford, Conn. -- You can't talk and drive in some areas. Now, one Connecticut lawmaker wants to make it illegal to talk and pump.

State Sen. Andrea Stillman, D-Waterford, wants drivers to hang-up their cell phones when they fill up their cars. She said warnings on gas pumps say using a cell phone could cause an electrical discharge that might ignite gas fumes. However, Stillman said there are no penalties.

The legislature's Judiciary Committee heard testimony Monday on her bill that would impose a $250 fine on people who use their cellular phones while pumping gas.

"People just do not pay attention to the notices that are displayed for their protection and of course we sometimes believe that these dangerous events cannot possible happen," Stillman said. She acknowledged the fine might be difficult to enforce, but it could be a deterrent.

Her proposal now awaits action in the state Senate Judiciary Committee.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Mio

Wow. Here in Canada there are signs on the pumps that say to turn off cell phone.