After a Fort Collins, Colorado nine-year-old girl was hit and killed by an SUV when the driver was distracted by their cellphone, and a Colorado State University researcher was hit by a pickup days after this, Colorado lawmakers are looking again at ways to ban cellphone use in vehicles. Researchers have written again and again about the dangers of cellphone use while driving, and now they can point to these events, as well as the December 11 semi crash in northern Colorado as further proof.

State legislators, such as Democrat John Kefalas, would like to see Colorado follow the example of New York and California who limit cellphone use in vehicles to hands-free devices. Texting would also be banned if Kefalas and others have their way. Fort Collins is also considering banning employees from cellphone use while on city business. Emergency personnel would be exempt from this ban.

A previous attempt at this type of ban failed in Colorado, but legislators think they have a better chance of passing it after the death of the young girl. The driver who hit her faces a year in prison, and a $1000 fine. A leading Republican in the state legislature, Sen. Greg Brophy, doesn't believe that singling out cellphones and texting makes any sense. Research may be against him this time.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of a driver talking on a cellphone, please contact an experienced injury lawyer in your area.