Rep. Ackerman (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Corzine (D-N.J.) introduced legis...

failed to win passage. Several local communities, including in N.J. and N.Y., have adopted bans on talking on phones while driving, and N.Y.C. is considering similar measure, Ackerman said. He said in Capitol Hill news conference that one difference between 2 bills they were introducing was that Corzine’s would allow states to decide whether to permit use of hands-free devices. Ackerman said his measure would provide for hands-free devices at outset and both bills would offer exemptions for wireless phone use in emergency situations. He said that differences would be worked out in conference. Under both proposals, incentive for implementation would be contingency that highway trust fund monies would be withheld from states that didn’t comply, Ackerman said. “This is groundbreaking legislation,” he said. “The states sometimes have a lot of trouble doing everything until there is some federal initiative that gives them some encouragement and incentive to do it.” CTIA said proposals failed to address education, data collection and “the strict enforcement of existing laws that prohibit unsafe driving due to driver inattention or distraction.” CTIA cited data from several states that cellphone use contributed to small percentage of highway crashes. Group has opposed proposed bans on wireless phone use while driving.