7:05 AM

Aberdeen, S.D., may ban drivers from using cell phones

Posted: Saturday, November 22, 2008 12:00 am

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - A proposal to ban drivers from using cell phones in Aberdeen has won first-round city council approval.

The tally was 6-1. A final vote is likely Monday.

The measure would apply just to hand-held cell phones, and motorists could be only stopped by police if first caught violating some other traffic law.

Exemptions would be allowed for 911 emergency calls, and for police, firefighters and ambulance personnel who are on duty.

Aberdeen officials began thinking about the ban earlier this year because of research indicating that cell phone use contributes to crashes.