COLUMBUS — A Cincinnati lawmaker's plans to stop Ohioans from using cellular phones while driving may be on hold in the General Assembly.

        Two bills sponsored by Rep. Catherine Barrett, a Democrat, would ban drivers from talking on hand-held phones, and double fines for people who commit a moving violation while using one.

        Both proposals, now in the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee, would allow drivers to use hands-free phones with voice-activated dialing and provide them a period of time to make the switch to such devices.

        “We are in dire need of a written restriction to maintain safety in our infrastructure,” Ms. Barrett said.

        Although the state of New York outlawed cell phone use while driving earlier this summer, critics of Ms. Barrett's proposals say they need more proof there is a real danger to Ohio motorists.

        Committee chairman Rep. Rex Damschroder, R-Fremont, said there is no solid evidence of the effects of car phones onsafety. He said a study may be needed.

        Mr. Damschroder also said the proposals might encourage drivers to pull over to the side of the road to make calls, which would create an equal hazard.

        The future of the legislation could hinge largely on the position of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which opposes both bills.

        State police say tracking the use of cell phones would be too costly and would distract them from other safety issues, such as the use of seat belts.

        Officers would have to be retrained to recognize when phones cause accidents, said Sgt. Gary Lewis, spokesman for the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

        Still, such incidents are hard to determine.

        “Our difficulty is proving that (a phone) played a factor” in the accident, Sgt. Lewis said.

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